Comparison of therapeutic effect between interventional treatment and anticoagulation therapy alone on patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Abstract

Objective To compare the efficacy of interventional thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy alone on patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Methods Forty-two patients were diagnosed as having CVST by clinical data. They were divided into anticoagulation therapy group (group A, n=21) and interventional treatment group (group B, n=21). The descent of intracranial pressure (ICP) was detected 3 d after the treatment; the present symptoms of the patients were scored by visual analog scale (VAS) at different time points (before, 3 d and 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatment). Results The level of ICP decreased after the treatment in both groups. Group B showed stable ICP (between 200 to 260 mmH_2O) after the treatment, except 1 patient who refused the implantation of stent in sinus had his ICP decreased from 620 to 410 mmH_2O; 1 patient had cerebral hemorrhage and was cured by operation. In group A, 1 patient had his ICP decreased to 350 mmH_2O and 5 had thier ICP reaching 400 mm H_2O; 1 died of cerebral hernia. The VAS scores in group A and group B were 8.1±1.6 and 3.5±1.5, respectively, 3 d after the treatment; the VAS scores in group A and group B were 4.9±1.4 and 2.2±1.3, respectively, 3 months after the treatment; significant differences were found between the 2 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Interventional thrombolysis is a safe and reliable method in treating patients with CVST through relieving the present symptoms and improving their prognosis. Key words: Intracranial venous sinus thrombosis; Thrombolytic therapy; Anticoagulants