Emergency: requires immediate attention
Cerebral venous thrombosis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
CVT most commonly presents in younger patients (ie, second to fourth decade of life) and is an important cause of stroke in this population. CVT is more prevalent in women than men (3:1). Risk factors for the development of CVT include exposure to estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, hypercoagulable states (genetic or acquired), pregnancy, malignancy, and head trauma.
The diagnosis of CVT is often delayed or missed. Patients have a favorable prognosis with timely diagnosis and treatment with anticoagulation. Delayed diagnosis and management may result in cerebral venous infarction with or without associated hemorrhage, lasting neurologic impairment, or death.
Codes
ICD10CM:G08 – Intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis
O87.3 – Cerebral venous thrombosis in the puerperium
SNOMEDCT:
95455008 – Thrombosis of cerebral veins
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Intracerebral hemorrhage (see cerebral stroke)
- Cerebral infarction (see cerebral stroke)
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Migraine headache
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis
- Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
- Pseudotumor cerebri
- Infectious meningitis (viral and bacterial) or encephalitis
- Neurosarcoidosis
- Preeclampsia
- Eclampsia
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:09/28/2021
Last Updated:09/28/2021
Last Updated:09/28/2021