P14. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Cause or coincidence?

Abstract

Association of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is frequently reported in the literature. According to a study by Diaz et al. PE was found in 11.3% of patients with CVST and mortality was high in these cases. In our experience PE is only rarely diagnosed in CVST patients, probably due to early initiation of antithrombotic therapy, with is in accordance with PE treatment guidelines. Case reports We report three patients with CVST and asymptomatic PE. CVST involved the sagittal sinus and the internal jugular vein in all patients. Screening for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was negative in two tested patients and blood tests showed no major hypercoagulability. All patients had a favourable outcome. PE is probably underdiagnosed in CVST patients. Due to early administration of anticoagulants and lack of consequences, PE is not routinely searched for in asymptomatic patients. CVST is likely the cause of the PE in patients with no other sources of embolism such as DVT, but this had to be evaluated in a prospective study.