Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Adults: A Clinical Study of 64 Iranian Cases

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Our study purpose was to determine the clinical characteristics and etiologies of cerebral venous thrombosis in Iran. Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients admitted with a documented diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis from 2003 through 2006 in two major hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were reviewed. Results: sixty-four patients (9 men, 55 women) aged 16 to 80 years were identified. The relative frequency against arterial strokes was 1:26.31. Seventeen cases (27%) had a clinical picture of pseudotumor cerebri. Twenty-eight women (51% of female cases) had history of oral contraceptive pills (OCP) use. Nine cases were in postpartum period (16% of females).Other causes included surgical recovery period, antiphospholipid antibodies in 7, protein S deficiency in 4, systemic lupus erythematosus in 2, infections in 2, antithrombin III deficiency in 5. Conclusions: In Iran, adult cerebral venous thrombosis is not uncommon. Recent onset oral contraceptive use is the single most common etiology. Infection is no longer an important cause, whereas postpartum and post surgery cases are common. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome should undergo brain MRI and MRV before definite diagnosis and treatment.