Clinical, Pharmacological and Endovascular Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a quite infrequent condition (3-4 per million) that affects predominantely young patients. It is typically characterized by a variable clinical spectrum and prognosis is influenced by several factors. Diagnosis is sometimes difficult since symptomatology is often non-specific. Imaging work-up by CT and MRI plays an important role in patient triage and diagnosis. Modern modalities allow an excellent visualizaion of the venous system and a precise identification of the intra-luminal thrombus. Imaging may also add an interesting prognostic value. Medical management mainly consists in anticoagulation, reduction of intracranial hypertension and treatment of underlying triggering conditions. In recent years, endovascular techniques have emerged as a new interesting option in patients poorly responding to medical therapy, with promising results. In this chapter, we sought to review the current knowledge on the clinical management, imaging diagnosis, medical and endovascular treatment of this pathology.

Keywords: Anticoagulation, Cerebral venous thrombosis, Complications, CT, Diagnosis, Dural sinus, Endvascular treatment, Imaging, MRI, Symptoms, Thrombectomy, Thromboaspitation.