1. [Cerebral venous thrombosis--clinical aspects and consequences].
- Author
-
Jankowicz E and Drozdowski W
- Subjects
- Anticoagulants therapeutic use, Diagnosis, Differential, Epilepsy etiology, Humans, Intracranial Hypertension etiology, Intracranial Thrombosis drug therapy, Intracranial Thrombosis etiology, Intracranial Thrombosis physiopathology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Phlebography, Pulmonary Embolism etiology, Cerebral Veins physiopathology, Intracranial Thrombosis complications, Intracranial Thrombosis diagnosis
- Abstract
The clinical picture of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) depends on the site of thrombosis in the venous system including superficial veins, deep veins and venous sinuses. Thrombotic changes may occur simultaneously in various parts of the venous system. Since CVT may have various causes, the knowledge of its etiology helps to make the diagnosis. In systemic diseases multiple intravascular clots may result, while in localized pathological conditions thrombosis maybe restricted to the lesion site. The clinical picture is often serious, leading to death, or to severe complications such as pulmonary embolism, and to distant complications--like epilepsy or intracranial hypertension being the cause of chronic headaches (lumbar puncture and CSF pressure measurement are helpful in the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension). In order to prevent complications of crucial importance is not only the proper diagnosis (with MRI and venography as the diagnostic techniques of choice), but also an early and prolonged treatment with anticoagulants. Heparin or fractionated heparin is recommended even though there is a possibility of cerebral haemorrhagic lesions.
- Published
- 2003