Multiple thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses, neonatal seizures, and minor parenchymal lesions: a case report and a review of the literature

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022 Dec;35(25):8507-8510. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1986480. Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Abstract

Background: Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare disease with potential catastrophic consequences. However, neonatal brain damage after venous injury and long-term neurologic outcomes have been poorly investigated. Some found an association between site and number of sinus occlusions, severity of lesions, clinical presentation and the neurodevelopmental outcome.

Case presentation: We describe the case of a term newborn girl with multiple CSVT who presented with clonic seizures and who received early treatment with heparin. MRI scans showed a progressive recanalization of deep venous system, and only minor cerebral lesions were present at 3 months of life. Neurocognitive outcome was normal at 12 months of life.

Conclusions: This case demonstrates that multiple CSVT presenting with severe seizures does not necessarily underlie major cerebral lesions or lead to severely abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome.

Keywords: Cerebral thrombosis; cerebral MRI; neurodevelopmental outcome; newborn; seizures.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Veins*
  • Epilepsy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases* / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Seizures / complications
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / diagnostic imaging
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / drug therapy
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / complications
  • Thrombosis* / pathology