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Background: Due to effective treatment of middle ear infections there is a change in etiologies causing lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) and outcome. There is a paucity of literature describing homogenous group of patients with nonseptic LST (NS-LST)., Objective: To describe the clinical profile, risk factors, outcome of patients of NS-LST seen at a single center from South India., Methods and Materials: Prospective, observational study of 100 patients of NS-LST patients, diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seen at the stroke unit., Results: During 2 years, 100 patients of NS-LST (isolated: combined: 27:73) (male: female: 44:56), mean age: 31.45 ± 11.13 years, were seen. Subacute presentation (74%) with headache, seizures, focal deficits, and features of raised intracranial pressure were presenting features. Hyperhomocysteinemia (61%), anemia (57%), postpartum state (41%), OCP use (37%), and low VitB12 (32%) were commonly seen risk factors. Imaging with MRI compared withcomputerized tomography (CT) had better diagnostic sensitivity (100% vs. 67%), detection of parenchymal (81% vs. 67%)/hemorrhagic (79% vs. 74%) lesions, and cortical vein thrombosis (31% vs. 15.46%). Treatment with anticoagulation and supportive therapy resulted in good outcome (mRS (0-2)) at 3 months in 81%.There were four deaths, all during admission (one - isolated, three - combined) and 11 patients underwent decompressive surgery. Patients with low GCS level of sensoriumat admission, hemiparesis, combined LST, cerebellar involvement, and decompressive craniectomy had a poor outcome., Conclusion: This single-center large cohort study of NS-LST patients brings out the clinical features, risk factors (peculiar to developing countries), and the superiority of MRI in the diagnosis. Majority of patients have good outcome, with low mortality with 10% requiring decompressive surgery., Competing Interests: None

Dural arteriovenous fistulas draining into an isolated sinus often require a multimodal treatment, with transarterial and transvenous approaches. 1-6 However, there is no consensus about the injection technique. Some authors suggest filling the sinus with coils in order to have a compact cast without unnecessary migration of the embolic material. We present a case of a patient with left temporal hemorrhage caused by a dural arteriovenous fistula on the isolated left transverse sinus. In this operative video we demonstrate how the arterial flow control during treatment allows us to obtain a compact cast of the embolic material inside the isolated sinus without coils (Video 1)., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: We aimed to describe otogenic lateral sinovenous thrombosis (OLST), a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of otomastoiditis., Methods: Children diagnosed with OLST in a tertiary-care Hospital from 2014 to 2019 was retrospectively selected. Clinical and radiological features, timing of diagnosis, treatment and outcome are reported., Results: Seven children (5 males) were studied. Fever and neurological symptoms (headache, lethargy, diplopia, dizziness and papilledema) were always present. Otalgia and/or otorrhea were found in 6 children; none had signs of mastoiditis. Diagnosis was reached after 7 days (median) from clinical onset. Brain CT-scan was performed in 5 children being diagnostic for 3. Venography-MRI detected OLST and mastoiditis in all cases without parenchymal lesions. Treatment was based on intravenous rehydration, antibiotic and low-molecular weight heparin; acetazolamide was added in 3 children. Mastoidectomy and ventriculoperitoneal-shunting were selectively performed. Patients were discharged after 26 days (median). Follow-up neuroimaging showed sinus recanalization after a median time of 6 months., Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach is needed to optimize diagnostic-therapeutic protocols of pediatric OLST., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no potential conflict of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Comatose critically ill patients with severe diffuse cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) are at high risk of secondary hypoxic/ischemic insults, which may considerably worsen neurological recovery. Multimodal brain monitoring (MBM) may therefore improve patient care in this setting, yet no data are available in the literature., Methods: We report two patients with coma following severe diffuse CVT who underwent emergent invasive MBM with intracranial pressure (ICP), brain tissue oximetry (PbtO 2 ), and cerebral microdialysis (CMD). Therapy of CVT consisted of intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH), followed by endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EMT). EMT efficacy was assessed continuously at the bedside using MBM., Results: Despite effective therapeutic UFH (aPTT two times baseline levels in the two subjects), average CMD levels of lactate and glucose in the 6 h prior to EMT displayed evidence of regional brain ischemia. The EMT procedure was associated with a rapid (within 6 h) improvement in both CMD lactate (6.42 ± 0.61 4.89 ± 0.55 mmol/L, p = 0.02) and glucose (0.49 ± 0.17 vs. 0.96 ± 0.32 mmol/L, p = 0.0005). EMT was also associated with a significant increase in PbtO 2 (22.9 ± 7.5 vs. 30.1 ± 3.6 mmHg, p = 0.0003) and a decrease in CMD glutamate (12.69 ± 1.06 vs. 5.73 ± 1.76 μmol/L, p = 0.017) and intracranial pressure (ICP) (13 ± 4 vs. 11 ± 4 mmHg (p = 004). Patients did not require surgical decompression, regained consciousness, and were discharged from the hospital with a good neurological outcome (modified Rankin score 3 and 4)., Conclusions: This study illustrates the potential utility of continuous bedside MBM in patients with coma after severe brain injury, irrespective of the primary acute cerebral condition. Despite adequate ICP and PbtO 2 control, the presence of CMD signs of regional brain cell ischemia triggered emergent EMT to treat CVT, which was associated with a significant and clinically relevant improvement of intracerebral physiology.

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon cause of stroke. CVST can be caused by systemic conditions as well as mechanical factors that reduce blood flow to promote thrombosis. These can include hormonal therapies, pregnancy, malignancy, genetic conditions. trauma, neurosurgical procedures, and adjacent infections (mostly mastoiditis). This case report describes a patient with right transverse sinus thrombosis with no prior risk factors. CASE REPORT A 50-year-old female with no risk factors presented with complaints of headache associated with diplopia for 2 weeks. She did not have any other neurologic signs or symptoms. The patient initially underwent a cerebral magnetic resonance imaging that revealed right transverse sinus thrombosis. She underwent an extensive procoagulant workup and was found to have an increased factor VIII level. All other workups were negative. The patient was started on heparin infusion and bridged to coumadin to achieve a therapeutic international normalized ratio. The patient had improvement in her headache symptoms and was discharged to be followed as an outpatient. CONCLUSIONS We report a case of right transverse sinus thrombosis in a patient with increased factor VIII levels. It is prudent to promptly diagnose cerebral sinus venous thrombosis and start antithrombotic treatment for complete resolution of symptoms.

Though patients with diabetes mellitus are at a high risk of atherothrombotic events, every such event should not be attributed to the disease itself. We present a case of a patient with diabetes with headache and blurring of vision for 3 days. Brain imaging revealed right transverse sinus thrombosis and acute infarct of the right posterior parieto-occipital region, predominantly in the posterior cortical watershed zone. The patient was on subcutaneous dulaglutide for 3 weeks and was having nausea and vomiting. Various causes of cerebral venous thrombosis were ruled out with appropriate laboratory investigations. Finally, cerebral venous thrombosis was attributed to dulaglutide-induced nausea and vomiting which led to severe dehydration., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2018. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: To describe the prevalent clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (OLST) in children; to identify clinical predictors of outcome; to propose a management algorithm derived from experience., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the clinical records of patients with OLST, treated in a single tertiary care referral center for pediatric disease from 2006 to 2017. The inclusion criteria were pediatric age (0-16 years) and OLST diagnosis confirmed by a pre- and post-contrast CT or venography-MRI scan. Primary outcome measures were early (1-2 months) and late (6 months) sinus recanalization assessed by means of neuroimaging., Results: Twenty-five patients (8 females and 17 males; mean age = 6 ± 3 years) were included. A genetic abnormality associated with thrombophilia was found in 24 (96%) patients. At diagnosis, anticoagulant treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was started in all subjects, while surgical treatment (mastoidectomy and tympanostomy tube insertion) was performed in 16/25 (64%) patients. Follow-up neuroimaging showed lateral sinus recanalization in 12/25 (48%) patients after 1-2 months and in 17/25 (68%) after 6 months. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, no significant predictors of the early and late neuroradiological outcome were found., Conclusions: All children with OLST should be screened for thrombophilia to decide on treatment duration and to assess the need for future antithrombotic prophylaxis. Immediately after diagnosis, anticoagulant treatment with LMWH should be started according to the international guidelines. Instead, our experience suggests that surgical treatment should not be indicated in all patients, but decided on a case-to-case basis.

Purpose: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (OLST) is an intracranial, potentially life-threatening complication of acute and chronic otitis media. Since congenital thrombophilic disorders are risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis, OLST may be related to thrombophilia. The aim of our study was twofold: to evaluate whether patients who suffered from OLST in childhood also have thrombophilia, and whether these patients experienced thromboembolic episodes in future years., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: The medical charts of all children hospitalized for OLST at Soroka University Medical Center of Israel, a tertiary referral hospital, from January 1983 to September 2014 were reviewed. The patients were invited for a follow-up visit and comprehensive medical history was taken along with a physical examination and laboratory work-up for thrombophilia., Main Findings: Seven patients were included in the study. Of these, 3 (43%) had results suggesting thrombophilic disorders manifested by elevated levels of factor IX and decreased levels of protein S activity (n = 1), decreased levels of proteins C and S activity (n = 1), and elevated levels of antibodies to cardiolipin (n = 1). No patients experienced clear thrombophilic events; however, 2 patients (29%) with later proven thrombophilia suffered neurologic sequelae, possibly suggesting thrombophilic events., Conclusions: Pediatric OLST secondary to acute otitis media and mastoiditis may reflect an underlying thrombophilia. Laboratory work-up for thrombophilia should be performed, and anticoagulant treatment may be warranted in managing these patients., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: The superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and transverse sinus are the major dural sinuses that receive a considerable amount of venous drainage. The occlusion of them has been suggested to cause intracranial hypertension, hemorrhage, and lead to potentially fatal consequences., Patient Concerns: We reported a 35-year-old woman with headache presented to our emergency department with a decreased level of consciousness and epileptic seizures. The examination of speech, higher mental function, and cranial nerve were normal. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated both subarachnoid and intraparenchymal hemorrhage and brain edema at the right temporal lobe accompanied by high density shadow in the right transverse sinus. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed extensive thrombosis of the SSS and bilateral transverse sinus., Diagnoses: The SSS and transverse sinus thrombosis, accompanied by right temporal lobe hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)., Interventions: An emergent mechanical thrombectomy by placed Solitair AB stent in the SSS, respectively, passed left and right sigmoid sinus-transverse sinus route. We removed the most clots, DSA revealed recanalization of the SSS and left transverse sinus was seen with normalization of the venous outflow, the occlusion of right transverse sinus was still present. There were 4 hours after patient back to neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU), patient appeared anisocoria (R/L:4.0/2.5 mm), bilateral light reflexes disappeared, then we took a CT reexamination revealed intraparenchymal hemorrhage increased, brain edema was aggravated at the left temporal lobe, and mild midline shift. Subsequently, we performed decompressive hemicraniectomy and puncture the hematoma supplemented by B ultrasonic. Anticoagulation treatment was initiated 24 hours after surgery, and follow-up DSA showed gradually improved patency in the SSS and bilateral transverse sinus., Outcomes: Despite occlusion of the SSS and bilateral transverse sinus, patient's symptoms resolved after the operations and he was discharged without complications., Lessons: The favorable clinical outcome after complete occlusion of the SSS and transverse sinus, accompanied by right temporal lobe hemorrhage, SAH has rarely been reported and it might be explained by our timely surgical intervention and development of compensatory cerebral collateral circulation.

Background: Iatrogenic cerebral venous sinus injury and occlusion may occur during resection of parasagittal meningioma and lateral skull base surgery. The former involves the superior sagittal sinus, and direct surgical repair is associated with good results. Outcome of direct repair of transverse-sigmoid sinus injury is less clear. We present a patient with iatrogenic sigmoid sinus injury in whom direct repair was complicated by subsequent thrombosis that was successfully salvaged by combined endovascular mechanical and chemical thrombolysis., Case Description: A 60-year-old man with left tentorial atypical meningioma had disease recurrence after 3 excisions. Angiography revealed that the straight sinus and torcular and bilateral transverse sinuses were occluded. He underwent a fourth craniotomy with inadvertent occlusion of the transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. Direct surgical repair was done but was complicated by thrombosis. Mechanical endovenous thrombectomy was done followed by continuous urokinase infusion for 1 week. Digital subtraction angiography performed 7 days after endovascular treatment showed improved venous drainage through the left transverse-sigmoid sinus junction. The patient was ambulatory and fully independent, with no new neurologic deficit., Conclusions: This case emphasizes the need to preserve every vein, especially when major venous sinuses have been obliterated. Detailed study of high-quality preoperative digital subtraction angiography is extremely important. Venous injury should be repaired immediately whenever possible. Postrepair venous sinus thrombosis may be effectively salvaged by endovascular thrombectomy for rapid recannulation, with or without combined use of continuous in situ thrombolytic therapy., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Isolated lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) was mentioned in the past as a complication of middle ear infection. In the recent years, it was not frequently studied. Our patient, a 23-year-old woman who was taking an oral contraceptive pill, displayed 24 hours of migraine, such as headache; her systemic examinations were normal. She underwent neuroimaging examinations in the first 36 hours of admission. Native head computed tomography (CT) revealed hyperdensities along the left tentorium, involving the left lateral sinus (LS). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hypointense signal on MRI T2*SW (susceptibility-weighted) in the region of the left LS. MR venography noted the absence of flow-related signal within the left LS. The clinical symptoms, signs and neuroimaging results formulated the diagnosis of left isolated LS thrombosis. Laboratory data demonstrated an elevated D-dimer and homozygosity for the factor V Leiden mutation. She was immediately started on anticoagulation in the form of low-molecular-weight Heparin; then, she was treated with Warfarin for an indefinite duration. The headaches resolved within two days and her neurological examination was also normal. A second MR venography achieved after two weeks demonstrated complete recanalization of the venous sinuses. We did not observe any LST recurrence, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism during one year of follow-up. The early initialization of anticoagulation produced a favorable evolution. An acute isolated left LST could be identified in her case on the head CT combined with MRI and MR venography.

Objective Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cerebrovascular disease affecting young adults. The majority of the patients are female. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical associations, risk factors and outcomes of the patients with CVST. Methods The data of 75 patients with CVST admitted to our hospital between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features and the thrombophilic risk factors of the patients were recorded. The localizations of the thrombi were determined and modified Rankin score at the time of onset and discharge were calculated. Results The majority of our patients (78.7%) were female. Median age was 35 years (16-76). The most common symptom was headache (86.7%). In 82.6% of our patients, inherited or acquired risk factors for thrombosis were detected. Transverse sinus was the most common site of thrombosis followed by sigmoid and superior sagittal sinuses. Two thirds of the patients had involvement of multiple sinuses. The patients with the involvement of sagittal sinus had better disability at the time of admittance ( p = 0.013) while the number of involved sinuses was correlated worse disability ( p = 0.015). The neurologic states in the majority of the patients were improved by the end of the hospitalization period ( p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in disability score at discharge between men and women ( p = 0.080). No patient with CVST died in the hospitalization period. Conclusions This study is one of the largest cohort studies on CVST in our region. The results of the study disclosed that CVST had wide range of clinical manifestations and non-specific symptoms at the beginning. For that reason, in especially high risk groups for thrombosis, the diagnosis of CVST should be kept in mind.

Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare but serious intracranial complication of acute or chronic otitis media. Reported mortality rates have ranged from 8 to 25%; the pediatric mortality rate might be as low as 5%. Controversy still exists over the medical and surgical management of this condition. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 7 cases of pediatric otogenic LST that were treated at our institution over a period of 8 years. We hypothesized that good outcomes in very sick patients can be achieved by aggressively managing the mastoid cavity and without the need for a thrombectomy. Our study group was made up of 4 boys and 3 girls, aged 6 to 15 years (mean: 11.1). All patients received intravenous antibiotics and underwent mastoidectomy with unroofing of the sigmoid sinus and placement of a tympanostomy tube. Sinus exploration with thrombectomy was not performed in any patient. Anticoagulation was used perioperatively in 5 patients (71%) without complication. All patients recovered well without major sequelae, which supports our hypothesis. We also describe the case of a patient with multiple concomitant intracranial comorbidities associated with this rare condition.

Objectives: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare intracranial complication of acute otitis media (AOM), which can lead to severe neurological sequelae and death. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation, management and outcome of LST in children, investigating a possible correlation between clinical aspects, radiological findings and anatomical variations., Methods: At a tertiary Italian hospital, a retrospective review was conducted on the medical records of eight patients diagnosed with otogenic LST over a 3-year period. Four children were males and mean age was 4.7 years., Results: All patients had a history of otitis media at diagnosis and 4/8 presented also with more than one neurological sign or symptom. Mastoiditis signs were detected in 5/8 patients. Thrombosis was diagnosed by computed tomography, enhanced magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance venography. Treatment was medical, alone or combined with surgery. Medical treatment consisted in anticoagulants eventually combined with anti-edema medication on clinical basis. Mastoidectomy and/or myringotomy±trans-tympanic drainage placement were performed in 7/8 patients. Complete vessel recanalization was obtained in 6/8 children after a median follow-up time of 4.8 months. No complications, neither clinical sequelae occurred. In our series, neurological signs and symptoms were significantly associated with the presence of hypoplasia of the contralateral venous sinus (p=0.029)., Conclusion: LST is a severe condition occurring even in absence of otological signs, and despite adequate antibiotic therapy for AOM, which should be ruled out and promptly treated. A dominant neurological presentation is associated in our series with anatomical variations of cerebral sinus venous drainage patterns. This should be carefully evaluated and considered in diagnosis, treatment planning and prognosis., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acute mastoiditis is a significant cause of morbidity in the paediatric population. This paper reviews our experience with this condition over the last 10 years and compares it with historical data from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK., Method: A retrospective case note review of patients who presented between 2003 and 2012 was performed., Results: Forty-six patients with acute mastoiditis were identified. Imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 14 cases (30.4 per cent). Intracranial complications were identified in six patients (13.0 per cent), one of whom required neurosurgical intervention. In 27 cases (58.7 per cent), a surgical procedure was performed. Data from 1995 to 2000 revealed similar rates of imaging (30.0 per cent), but significantly lower rates of surgical intervention (23 per cent). A lower rate of intracranial complications (4.8 per cent) in the historical cohort did not prove to be statistically significant (p = 0.419)., Conclusion: The numbers of paediatric patients presenting with acute mastoiditis appears essentially unchanged. Improvement in imaging technology and aids to interpretation may explain the apparent increase of intracranial complications.

Objectives: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare complication of acute otitis media whose clinical presentation has changed with the early use of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to analyze the changing clinical signs, vaccination status, therapeutic management and outcome of these patients., Methods: Retrospective chart review of 10 children treated with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis in a tertiary level teaching hospital in Budapest, Hungary, from January 1998 till August 2013., Results: Patients were divided into Early and Late presenting groups. In the Early presenting group, sepsis developed within one week after the onset of acute otitis media. At admission otological symptoms were predominant. The Late presenting group experienced acute otitis media several weeks prior to presentation and in this group neurologic symptoms dominated the clinical picture at admission. All patients received antibiotics. Eight of them were also treated with low molecular weight heparin. All children underwent cortical mastoidectomy. After surgery, the clinical signs of elevated intracranial pressure transiently worsened. This manifested as progression of papilledema in seven children, causing severe visual disturbance in two cases. After medical treatment and serial lumbar punctures all patients except one recovered. This child has permanent visual acuity failure of 0.5D unilaterally. At one year follow up complete and partial recanalization were noted in five and two patients, respectively., Conclusions: After mastoidectomy the signs of elevated intracranial pressure can transiently worsen, papilledema can progress. Daily bedside monitoring of visual acuity and regular ophthalmoscopy with neurologic examination is recommended during hospitalization. Close follow up is advised up to one year. When the dominant sinus is occluded, the clinical scenario is more protracted and severe., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study is to (1) report the clinical presentation, treatment, and sequelae in a series of pediatric patients with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis and (2) to review the most controversial aspects of management of this rare intracranial complication of otitis media., Methods: Retrospective chart review of inpatients treated for central venous thrombosis at a tertiary care facility between 1996 and 2012., Results: Five pediatric patients (four male, one female) were identified with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. Age at presentation ranged from 13 months to 15 years. All underwent a surgical procedure, ranging from a simple myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement to tympanomastoidectomy and internal jugular vein ligation or craniotomy. Three were anticoagulated with unfractionated heparin with subsequent transition to low molecular weight heparin of variable duration. One patient developed a non-life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage while on long-term anticoagulation. Follow-up imaging, when available, did not directly correlate complete thrombus resolution with use of anticoagulation or with persistent symptoms., Conclusions: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare intracranial complication of otitis media with significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in the modern era of antibiotic treatment, surgical intervention, and anticoagulation therapy. Due to the rarity of this condition today, the recommended extent of surgical intervention and need for routine anticoagulation are unclear, and requires further data to determine definitively., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) occurs when a middle ear infection disseminates directly via bone erosion or disseminates indirectly through the venous networks. The petrosquamosal sinus (PSS) is the residual accessory dural sinus connecting intracranial to extracranial drainage. This report describes a case of a patient with persistent PSS running through the mastoid in context of otitic hydrocephalus with LST. To identify PSS, enhanced CT and reconstructed image from CT venography were more useful than MRI. The possibility of persistent PSS running through the mastoid should be considered if LST without marked inflammation and bone erosion is noted., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical and radiological outcomes in children treated with lateral sinus thrombosis secondary to acute mastoiditis considering also contralateral sinus hypoplasia. This study was a retrospective chart review, conducted in tertiary pediatric hospital. Medical reports of eight children with acute mastoiditis and lateral sinus thrombosis from 1998 to 2011 were examined in terms of therapy, clinical recovery and radiological proof of lateral sinus recanalization. Three children presented hypoplasia of contralateral venous drainage system. Condition of sinuses was regularly monitored with MRI. Otologically and neurologically, all children recovered fully. All received antibiotics; six received additional low molecular weight heparin therapy. Mastoidectomy was performed on six cases. Incision and thrombectomy were applied in the other two, one involving internal jugular vein ligation. This latter case presented also contralateral venous hypoplasia; visual impairment proved permanent. The other two children with contralateral sinus hypoplasia recovered fully after steroid, dehydration and low molecular weight heparin therapy. Recanalization occurred in all children except the one with internal jugular vein ligation, in whom good collateral circulation was observed. There were no bleeding complications. Anatomical variations of cerebral venous drainage system can frequently be observed and should be considered in treatment planning. Mastoidectomy with antibiotics and additional low molecular weight heparin treatment is a safe, promising alternative to thrombectomy and internal jugular vein ligation in children with lateral sinus thrombosis following acute mastoiditis, also having contralateral sinus hypoplasia. Recanalization can be expected within two to five months.

Objective: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) in children represents a serious condition with potential long-lasting morbidity. The role of adjunct anticoagulation therapy and the benefit of an analysis of prothrombotic factors are unclear. The aim of the study was to report therapeutic management and outcome, analyze prothrombotic factors in children with otogenic LST treated with mastoidectomy/antibiotics/anticoagulation and to evaluate the results with a review of the literature., Methods: Retrospective chart review of 9 children with otogenic LST (2000-2009) and literature search in PubMed., Results: The most frequent sign was fever in 88%, while neurologic findings were seen in 55%. Streptococci was the most common bacteria (55%). Prothrombotic factors were normal in all children. All patients received therapeutic anticoagulation, without experiencing bleeding complications. Eight children made a full recovery, neurologic sequelae persisted in one. The literature review of 115 children identified fever as the most prominent sign, reported the absence of neurologic findings in almost 50% of cases and confirmed the major role of streptococci. Anticoagulation, as adjunct therapy, was given to 38% of patients in the therapeutic range with a trend towards better neurologic outcome. A prothrombotic analysis was reported in 5 studies with positive results in 2., Conclusions: Surgery and antibiotics represent the mainstay of the therapy. Anticoagulation can be safely added in view of the high potential for morbidity and might reduce neurologic sequelae. Bacteria with thrombotic activity seem to be an important aetiology. In contrast, a prothrombotic disposition seems to play a minor role in the development of otogenic LST., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: A case of pediatric otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis is reported, followed by a substantive literature review., Design: 104 patients were reviewed, culled from published case reports from 1993 to 2011 on the PubMed database., Methods: All full text case reports on the PubMed database from 1993 to 2011 with patients less than or equal to 16 years of age that outlined specific treatments were included., Results: 73% of patients were male and average age of presentation was 7.7 years. The most common symptoms were fever, headache, and otalgia, while the most common signs included otorrhea and neck stiffness. CT scans had a sensitivity of 87% and MR studies had a sensitivity of 100%. Single bacterial organisms were isolated in 46% of cases, with beta hemolytic streptococcus, streptococcus pneumoniae, and staphylococcus aureus being most common. Management included broad spectrum antibiotics (100%), mastoidectomy (94%), manipulation of the thrombosed sinus (50%), and anticoagulation (57%). The mortality rate was one in 104 patients. Morbidities occurred in 10% of patients and included cranial nerve palsy, sensorineural hearing loss, stroke, and septic hip joint., Conclusion: Lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare but treatable complication of otologic disease in the pediatric population, warranting a high index of suspicion. Management should include broad spectrum antibiotics and surgical removal of all perisinus infection. Anticoagulation is not definitively associated with improved outcomes and warrants further investigation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We report lateral sinus thrombosis occurring as a rare complication following a routine and uneventful otological procedure., Case Report: Lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare but known complication of otitis media. It has not been documented as a complication of routine otological surgery. We present a case of this rare complication following a myringoplasty. We also discuss the presentation, investigation and treatment of lateral sinus thrombosis. It is essential to be able to recognise and treat this rare complication early, due to its high mortality rate., Conclusion: Lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. It is therefore essential for clinicians to be able to recognise and treat this condition early.

Background: Cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis is a rare condition with a wide range of causes and a highly variable presentation. It can lead to significant morbidity, but scant literature is available describing diagnosis and treatment when this occurs after ligation of the internal jugular vein., Objectives: To discuss potential risk factors for cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis after ligation of the internal jugular vein, and present current options for diagnosis and treatment., Case Report: A 23-year-old male construction worker was brought to the Emergency Department by Emergency Medical Services after sustaining a severe neck laceration from a hand-held grinder. He was treated with ligation of the left internal jugular vein, but subsequently developed severe headaches and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. A magnetic resonance venogram of the head revealed a left transverse sinus thrombosis requiring treatment with anticoagulation. The placement of a lumboperitoneal shunt was ultimately needed for relief of his symptoms., Conclusions: Early diagnosis and aggressive therapeutic interventions are critical to prevent further morbidity in patients who develop cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis after ligation of the internal jugular vein., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: 1. To discuss the presentation, work up, and treatment of a series pediatric patients presenting with acute otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (OLST). 2. To review the literature in discussing surgical treatment and the role of anticoagulation for sinus thrombosis from complicated otomastoiditis., Study Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: Retrospective case series of seven patients with otomastoidits and lateral sinus thrombosis were included in the study. Type of anticoagulation used and both clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared. Pediatric literature review was conducted using PubMed search terms "thrombosis and otitis media and anticoagulation" limited to English., Results: Seven patients presented with acute otomastoiditis with sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Six patients were treated with anticoagulation for 1.5-12 months. Six patients underwent myringotomy with tube and 4 patients underwent cortical mastoidectomy without thrombectomy. Six patients had resolution of thrombosis by imaging in less than 6 months. Literature review of 19 pts with OLST showed that 95% had mastoidectomy and 84% had myrigotomy with tube. All 19 patients received anticoagulation. Sixteen patients had complete clinical recovery with recanalization or resolution of clot in 3 patients., Conclusions: The treatment of OLST is controversial. Most (23/26) patients had complete clinical recovery despite clot resolution in 9 of the 26 patients. Four patients had bleeding complication with anticoagulation. This series and literature review highlights the controversy of surgery and use of anticoagulation in the treatment of OLST and the need for further investigation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To present the results and experience with diagnosis and treatment of lateral sinus thrombosis, as a complication of otitis media, in a pediatric population., Patients: Five children, 2 girls and 3 boys, with age ranging from 3 to 9 years, identified as having otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis confirmed with clinical symptoms and radiologic findings., Intervention: All patients underwent canal wall intact mastoidectomy with tympanostomic tube insertion. In all patients, granulation tissues from mastoids were removed and exploration of the lateral sinuses by needle aspiration was performed. All patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, and 4 of 5 patients were administered anticoagulants., Main Outcome Measures: Clinical improvement, resolution of symptoms., Results: Patients with a diagnosis of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis commonly presented with headache, nausea, and vomiting. Three patients had a bulging drum, 1 had otorrhea, and 1 had only retraction pocket. After surgery and pharmacologic treatment, clinical improvement was observed in all patients. Complication after anticoagulant administration was not observed. All patients were followed up from 12 to 36 months. All patients showed partial or complete recanalization on repeat imaging., Conclusion: Lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare complication of otitis media. In some cases, diagnosis is delayed because neurologic, rather than otologic, symptoms may dominate the presentation of the lateral sinus thrombosis. In our observation, the prognosis of lateral sinus thrombosis is better when surgical and pharmacologic treatments are instituted early.

The authors describe the clinical features and management of lateral sinus thrombosis associated with mastoiditis and otitis media in children. Of 475 patients with mastoiditis and otitis media, 13 (2.7%) had lateral sinus thrombosis identified by magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance venography (n = 11) and angiography (n = 2). Clinical features included headache, vomiting, fever, diplopia, papilledema, sixth nerve palsy, seventh nerve palsy, and unilateral cerebellar ataxia. All patients received antibiotics for 1 to 8 weeks. Four patients underwent mastoidectomy alone, 5 mastoidectomy with concurrent myringotomy and ventilation tube, and 1 myringotomy with tube without mastoidectomy. Three underwent anticoagulation for 6 months (1 had heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation). All survived; deafness occurred in 5 patients (4 transient, 1 persistent). Magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance venography should be obtained in any child with otitis media having features of raised intracranial pressure and/or focal neurodeficits to rule out lateral sinus thrombosis. Antibiotics and mastoidectomy are essential in management. A hypercoagulable state may predispose to lateral sinus thrombosis.

Objective: To describe the recovery outcomes in pediatric patients with otogenic lateral sinus and internal jugular vein thrombosis., Methods: An inpatient database from a tertiary care pediatric hospital was queried from 1999 to 2010 for the diagnosis code [325] thrombosis of intracranial venous sinus. Demographics, extent of thrombosis, surgical intervention, use of anticoagulation, and the presence of recanalization on follow-up imaging was collected., Results: Fifteen patients (10 male, 5 female) were identified with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. Eleven patients (73.3%) had evidence of thrombus in the transverse sinus, while 10 patients (66.7%) had thrombus in the internal jugular vein, and one patient (6.7%) had thrombus in the cavernous sinus. Five patients (33%) had otitic hydrocephalus. Twelve patients (80%) underwent operative manipulation of the lateral sinus including: three decompressions 20%, three needle aspirations 20%, and six venotomies with evacuation of clot or pus 40%. Twelve patients were anticoagulated with low molecular weight heparin, and three patients were not anticoagulated. Ten of fourteen patients (71.4%) who underwent follow-up magnetic resonance venography had evidence of partial (57.1%) or complete (14.3%) recanalization of the lateral sinus. All five patients with otitic hydrocephalus recovered as determined by a normal fundoscopic exam and recovery of abducens paresis., Conclusion: Recanalization of the lateral intracranial venous sinus occurred in the majority of the patients in this series. The role of operative intervention and/or anticoagulation remains unclear., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but potentially alarming condition, which remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Endovascular procedure may be a therapeutic option when evolution is unfavourable despite medical treatment, but the use of stenting is rarely reported in CVT treatment. We report the case of a man who presented a jugular vein thrombosis responsible for severe intracranial hypertension. Because of clinical worsening despite intravenous heparin and symptomatic treatment, endovascular procedure including the placement of five venous stents, thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty, was performed and led to venous recanalization with successful clinical outcome. The patient is still asymptomatic 3 years later. Our report shows that venous stenting could represent an efficient alternative in the management of decoagulation refractory CVT., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the demographics, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of lateral sinus thrombosis in a pediatric population, and to propose a new treatment algorithm., Methods: Retrospective review of seven patients., Results: Patients averaged 7.4 years of age. They commonly presented with headache and otalgia (seven of seven patients), and nausea and vomiting (six of seven patients). All patients had abnormal otoscopy, and four of seven patients had a lateral rectus palsy, but fever was not always present (only three of seven patients). All patients underwent MRI with venography (MRV) for diagnosis. All patients were admitted to the hospital (average length of stay 8 days) and treated with antibiotics (six of seven patients with i.v. ceftriaxone). Five of seven were treated with simple mastoidectomy and concurrent middle ear ventilation tubes; two patients received only medical treatment. The average follow up was 114 months (range 33-387 months). Two patients had long-term sequela: one had persistent mild lateral gaze diplopia and another had unilateral moderate to severe high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Six of seven patients had follow up imaging (average 15 months, range 1-40 months). Four of six patients showed recanalization of the lateral sinus on repeat imaging. Based on the current experience in the modern era of MRV and broad-spectrum antibiotics, a new treatment algorithm is proposed., Conclusions: Lateral sinus thrombosis is an uncommon cranial complication of otitis media. The advent of non-invasive diagnosis and effective broad-spectrum antibiotics has drastically decreased the mortality and altered the diagnostic and treatment paradigm.

Background and Purpose: Isolated lateral sinus thrombosis was long considered a complication of middle ear disease. Little attention has been recently paid to this variety of thrombosis. We therefore reviewed all cases of isolated lateral sinus thrombosis prospectively collected in our center (1997 to 2006)., Methods: Among 195 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), we identified 157 patients with lateral sinus thrombosis, including 62 patients with isolated lateral sinus thrombosis. Clinical, etiologic, and prognostic features were compared with those of other 133 CVT cases., Result: Sixty-two patients (32%) had isolated lateral sinus thrombosis. Headaches were present in 95% of patients. The main clinical presentation was isolated headache in 28 patients (45%), whereas 15 (24%) had isolated intracranial hypertension. Nineteen patients (31%) had at least one focal sign (deficit and/or focal seizure). Dysphasia was the most common one (8 patients). Compared with the other 133 CVT cases, presentation with isolated headaches was the most frequent one (P<0.001). Parenchymal lesions were found in 19 cases and were less frequent than in other CVT cases (P=0.007). Numerous causes or predisposing factors were identified without a difference in repartition with other patients with CVT, particularly for local or infectious causes. Treatment consisted of anticoagulation in all patients. Clinical outcome was good with complete recovery in 57 patients (92%). One patient died after the occurrence of massive pulmonary emboli despite adequate anticoagulation. Three patients had sequelae (no difference with the other CVT)., Conclusions: Isolated lateral sinus thrombosis is a frequent variety of CVT, accounting for one third of all CVT. It presents in more than two thirds of cases with headache as the only symptom either isolated or less frequently associated with papilledema. This stresses the need for CVT workup in a patient with a recent unexplained headache.

Objectives: Lateral sinus thrombosis is a rare intracranial complication of otitis media that is traditionally described in countries with poor access to medical care. Our goal was to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of patients diagnosed with lateral sinus thrombosis in a US tertiary care center and to highlight the clinically relevant differences in presentation between these patients and those described in previous reports., Patients and Methods: The medical charts of 13 patients diagnosed with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis were reviewed. These patients were identified from a manual search of 156 subjects with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes corresponding with a diagnosis of mastoiditis or thromboembolism over a 10-year period (1997-2007) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia., Results: In contrast to previous reports in the literature, the majority of patients in this series exhibited cranial neuropathies and signs of raised intracranial pressure. Nearly all of the patients had a history of acute otitis media treated with antibiotics in the weeks preceding admission. However, many patients denied high fevers or active otomastoid symptoms, which are classically associated with lateral sinus thrombosis. The diagnosis was made in all of the children by using computed tomography and MRI/venography. Treatment strategies included myringotomy tube placement, simple mastoidectomy, intravenous antibiotics, and anticoagulation. Posthospitalization follow-up data revealed no significant long-term complications., Conclusion: Despite appropriate antibiotic therapy, lateral sinus thrombosis and other intracranial complications of otitis media are still a threat to children in the modern era. Neurologic, rather than otologic, symptoms may dominate the presentation of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. Thus, a high index of suspicion may be critical for ensuring timely diagnosis of this rare condition.

Objective: To present our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) secondary to otogenic disease., Patients and Methods: We have retrospectively reviewed all the cases of LST caused by chronic otitis media in ten years., Results: In our series of five patients, four patients were successfully treated by surgery without opening the sigmoid sinus. On the other hand, one of our patients developed hydrocephalus and ataxia during preoperative antibiotic treatment., Conclusion: Most patients with thrombotic/nonabscessed sinuses will have successful outcomes with this approach, but careful observation is needed, given the possibility of advancing disease.

The incidence of intracranial complications of acute otitis media (AOM) has decreased and the need for operative and medical treatment is declined during the antibiotic era. To describe pathognomonic signs, evaluation management, operative findings, clinical course and outcome of otitic hydrocephalus and lateral sinus thrombosis as complications of AOM and mastoiditis in pediatric patients. Two children, 9 and 13 years old, with the diagnosis of OH and TK and MRI findings are presented. Intracranial complications in children resulted from unsuccessful treatment of AOM, which led to acute mastoiditis and lateral sinus thrombosis. Both of the presented children had thrombus in their sigmoid sinus preoperatively, demonstrated by MRI, causing decreased blood flow. Both patients underwent a mastoidectomy and delamination of sigmoid sinus with puncture of sinuses. After medical and surgical treatment, blood flow through the sinus increased significantly. In both cases signs of increased intracranial pressure ceased. The clinical presentation of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) as a complication of acute otitis media (AOM) can be masked by antibiotic treatment. The episodes of vomiting, headache, visual impairment and a history of AOM seem to be indicative for otitic hydrocephalus. MRI scans of patients with similar symptoms should be carefully studied to facilitate the early diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis with increased intracranial pressure. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging play a major role in determining diagnosis and treatment plans in this intracranial complications. Management included systemic antibiotics, short-term heparin anticoagulation and surgical decompression. In our patients intensive i.v. antibiotic treatment, steroids, anticoagulants and surgery led to a significant improvement in the clinical condition.

Objectives: To define the contemporary management of septic otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis., Study Design: Retrospective case series identified through database search of otologic surgical cases managed by a single surgeon in four teaching hospitals over a 6-year period., Methods: Twelve patients presenting with lateral sinus thrombosis of otogenic cause were the subjects of this study. Patients with incomplete medical records or unknown outcomes were excluded., Results: Lateral sinus thrombosis was the result of chronic otitis media in 50% of cases, with five of these patients having cholesteatoma. In addition, there were seven associated intracranial complications in six patients in this series. All patients underwent medical and surgical treatment. Aggressive and early surgical treatment was tailored to the degree of preoperative and intraoperative findings. The sigmoid sinus was resected in six of the patients with a variable degree of inferior margin proportional to the extent of thrombosis. Thrombectomy alone under vascular control with reestablishment of flow was used to remove the septic thrombus in the other six patients. There were no complications in these patients., Conclusion: Early and aggressive surgical intervention of this otogenic complication can potentially minimize mortality, hospital stay, and length of medical treatment.

Objective: A comparison between the literature and our management of pediatric patients presenting with otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis., Design: A retrospective case series of five pediatric patients., Setting: Four patients were treated at BC Children's Hospital, whereas the fifth patient was treated in New Westminster, BC. All were treated between 1994 and 2001., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted with a literature review for otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis., Main Outcome Measures: Treatment success was based on resolution of acute infection and neurologic symptoms., Results: Five patients, four males and one female, aged 2 to 14 years were reviewed. Three patients were treated successfully without mastoidectomy. One patient received a mastoidectomy that yielded no pus or granulation tissue within the mastoid cavity. One patient required a mastoidectomy after failure to respond to bilateral myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion. Although no pus was seen in the mastoid cavity, perisinus pus was found after unroofing the sigmoid sinus plate; free flow of blood was obtained on needle aspiration of the sinus, and the sinus was not surgically opened., Conclusion: The current literature states that the management of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis includes high-dose intravenous antibiotics with a mastoidectomy and possible opening of the sinus. In our retrospective case series, three of five patients recovered completely without mastoidectomy, and a fourth had a mastoidectomy deemed to have been unnecessary. We conclude that intravenous antibiotics and insertion of a tympanostomy tube are sufficient treatment for selected cases of otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis. Mastoidectomy with possible opening of the sinus should be reserved for patients refractory to the above conservative treatment.

Introduction: Women on hormonal therapy for menorrhagia are at risk for cerebral venous thrombosis., Case Report: This scenario may become complicated when there is profuse vaginal bleed with the withdrawal of hormonal therapy. There are no reports describing the possible therapeutic approaches in this clinical situation., Results: A 42-year-old female with a history of uterine fibroids and menorrhagia taking an estrogen-progesterone combination pill presented with seizure clusters. Neuro-imaging showed lateral sinus thrombosis and biparietal hemorrhagic infarcts. Withdrawal of the contraceptive pill was associated with profuse vaginal bleed, leading to hemodynamic instability and the need for multiple blood transfusions. As an emergent procedure to stop the vaginal bleeding, the patient was implanted with a levonorgestrel intrauterine system; with this, vaginal bleed stopped within 12 hours with hemodynamic stability. Subsequently, the patient was treated with unfractionated heparin followed by warfarin (target international normalized ratio: 2.5-3). She made a good neurological recovery., Conclusion: This case illustrates that LNG-IUS can be an innovative choice for local hormonal therapy in a patient with OCP-related cerebral venous thrombosis and simultaneous vaginal bleeding.

Purpose: Lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare but potentially devastating complication of otitis media. We review the clinical presentation, evaluation, management, operative findings, and outcomes of this serious complication., Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at a teaching hospital of all patients diagnosed with an otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis between 1992 and 2002. Data on patients with otogenic LST were collected and analyzed., Results: Eleven patients were identified with a diagnosis of lateral sinus thrombosis, and all had a chronic otitis media. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, otalgia, and fever. Radiologic evaluation included computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, or magnetic resonance venography. All patients had radiographic evidence of LST preoperatively. The thrombosed sinus was on the right side in 6 patients and on the left side in 5 patients. The majority of patients (8 of 11) had a second concomitant intracranial complication. All patients underwent a mastoidectomy. The thrombus was removal in 7 cases, whereas only needle aspiration of the sinus was performed in 4 cases. Gram-negative bacilli and anaerobes were the most common organisms. There were no deaths but sequelae included VI nerve palsy, ataxia, and dead ear., Conclusion: LST as a complication of otogenic infections may still pose a serious threat that warrants immediate attention and care. It is frequently associated with other intracranial complications. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging plays a major role in determining diagnosis and treatment plans. The availability of broad-spectrum antibiotics has improved our management significantly. Conservative surgical intervention including eradication of all perisinus infection and needle aspiration of the sinus seems to be effective.

Fusobacterium necrophorum is implicated as an aetiological agent in a variety of necrotic diseases, such as Lemièrre's syndrome (LS) in humans. LS was initially described as septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein secondary to an acute oropharyngeal infection. Other primary sources of infection include parotitis, otitis media, sinusitis, odontogenic infection and mastoiditis. In the pre-antibiotic era LS carried a high mortality. This has been reduced as a result of the widespread use of antibiotics, but there is still a definite morbidity and mortality associated with infection with this virulent organism. We report three cases of complicated otitis media caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. The patients were treated successively with intravenous metronidazole and surgery.

The management of four cases of lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) over a four-year period at the Royal Darwin Hospital is presented in this retrospective review. The patients were aboriginal and presented with otalgia, otorrhoea and sepsis. Two cases had an associated complication of an otitic hydrocephalus and a subperiosteal abscess. Cholesteatoma was found in three cases. Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the LST in three cases. Three patients were anaemic and thrombocytopenic. All patients had positive blood cultures. The organisms were predominantly mixed anaerobes and Bacteroides species. Three patients were managed surgically as a two-stage procedure. One patient was managed as a single-stage procedure with a modified radical mastoidectomy. Therapeutic anticoagulation was utilized in one case. There were no deaths. The prognosis of LST is good if treatment is instituted early with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and surgery. The role of clot removal at surgery and the use of anticoagulation are discussed in this paper.

Before the antibiotic era, lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) was the most frequent complication of otitis media. With the widespread usage of antibiotics, its occurrence is rare. Nevertheless, it is still a major complication of middle ear disease. LST mortality fluctuates between 5 and 35%. The major clinical symptoms of patients with LST are pain in the mastoid region, spiking fever, anemia and general health disorders. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography are the most helpful in diagnosis, but the final diagnosis is made by surgical exploration. Three cases with LST are presented, and signs, diagnosis and treatment of disease are discussed.

Objectives/hypothesis: Bezold's abscess and dural sinus thromboses are rare complications of otitis media in the era of antibiotics. Although potentially fatal, they are treatable. We present a unique case report of Bezold's abscess in association with multiple dural sinus thromboses., Study Design: Single case report., Methods: A young female patient's clinical course is presented and discussed. We review the anatomy, incidence, pathogenesis, and treatment of Bezold's abscess and dural sinus thrombosis., Results: After mastoidectomy, neck exploration, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, and anticoagulation therapy, the patient recovered fully and has remained asymptomatic since her discharge from the hospital at 12 months' follow-up., Conclusions: This is the first reported case of Bezold's abscess associated with a cavernous sinus thrombosis and the third reported case of Bezold's abscess associated with lateral sinus thrombosis. Despite its rarity, Bezold's abscess must be recognized and treated aggressively. Dural sinus thrombosis is relatively more common, and treatment of the underlying cause is essential. The diagnosis and rapid, aggressive treatment of these conditions are essential for an optimal clinical outcome.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare condition affecting predominantly adolescents or young adults. The presentation is often non-specific, and delay in diagnosis is common. The otolaryngologist may be consulted about the radiological findings of lateral sinus thrombosis and mastoid changes. The association of congenital thrombophilia with unusual presentations of venous thrombosis, especially in young individuals is now well documented. We present a case of lateral and sagittal sinus thrombosis complicated by cerebral venous infarction in a girl with protein C deficiency and masked mastoiditis. Unusual forms of venous thrombosis, including cerebral venous thrombosis may develop in association with a single risk factor for thrombosis, but additional risk factors should be sought especially when thrombosis presents in very young individuals. This case draws attention to the multi-causal nature of cerebral venous thrombosis in young adults, and highlights the issue of masked mastoiditis. A coordinated approach by otolaryngological and haematological teams is recommended in such cases.

Introduction: We portray and discuss a case of lateral sinus thrombosis following acute otitis media and mastoiditis., Clinical Picture: The patient presented with otorrhoea, otalgia, neck pain, fever and chills., Treatment: Cortical mastoidectomy was performed. Intravenous antibiotics and heparin were administered., Outcome: The patient had a complete recovery with no sequelae., Conclusions: Neurotologic complications of suppurative otitis media like meningitis, cerebral abscess, extradural abscess and dural sinus thrombosis are rare in the antibiotic era. Hence, doctors today have to maintain extra vigilance and a high index of suspicion for such complications.

Introduction: The clinical picture of lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) has changed with the advent of antibiotics, as have the utility of various diagnostic tests. LST may appear in children as a complication of acute otitis media, but nowadays it is more frequently encountered in adults with long-standing chronic ear disease., Method: A retrospective study of all the pediatric patients with LST between 1982 and 1997., Results: Thirteen cases of LST were diagnosed and treated by our department. In six cases, LST was due to acute otitis media and in the remaining cases it was due to chronic otitis media. Headache, fever, aural discharge and mastoid tenderness were the most frequent findings in these patients and four patients were initially diagnosed with meningitis. In the majority of the patients, LST was accompanied with other intracranial complications, such as perisinus abscess, brain abscess and meningitis. One patient with multiple brain abscesses, unresponsive to several drainage procedures, died. The other patients recovered and have since been followed-up as out-patients., Conclusion: LST may be difficult to diagnose due to previous antibiotic treatment and to the overlap of clinical findings with other entities such as meningitis. Despite the value of modern imaging techniques in the investigation of the disease, a high index of suspicion based on the clinical picture is warranted. Our results are consistent with those of other recent studies, who found that mortality of LST has dropped below 10%.