Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Mimicking Limbic Encephalitis

Intern Med. 2024 May 1;63(9):1277-1280. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2514-23. Epub 2023 Aug 23.

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is challenging to diagnose, as it presents with variable symptoms. We encountered a complicated case of CVT that mimicked limbic encephalitis due to sensory aphasia. Based on the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings, this 72-year-old Japanese man was later confirmed to have CVT, the cause of which was periodontitis due to Eikenella corrodens, a Gram-negative facultative anaerobic that is part of the mouth's normal flora. The symptoms improved without sequelae following anticoagulation treatment and antibiotics. Clinicians should consider CVT as a differential diagnosis when unexplainable neurological symptoms suggesting limbic encephalitis are observed.

Keywords: cerebral venous thrombosis; infectious disease; limbic encephalitis; periodontal infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Limbic Encephalitis* / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Venous Thrombosis* / diagnosis
  • Venous Thrombosis* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Anticoagulants