Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as an Unexpected Complication of COVID-19 Pneumonia

Cureus. 2021 Jul 19;13(7):e16498. doi: 10.7759/cureus.16498. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is commonly associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute cardiac and renal injuries. However, thromboembolic events are also prevalent in COVID-19. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 hypercoagulability is not well known but may be linked to the cytokine storm induced by a viral infection or endothelial damage that triggers a cascade leading to hypercoagulability. Because vascular endothelium has angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-like lung tissue, COVID-19 targets lung tissue and vascular endothelium, leading to thrombosis. We present a rare case of a young patient with COVID-19 who presented with thrombosis of the cerebral venous system managed with anticoagulation. This case highlights the need for heightened awareness of this atypical but potentially treatable complication of the COVID-19 disease spectrum.

Keywords: cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; covid 19; sagittal sinus thrombosis; sars-cov-2; therapeutic anticoagulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports