General description

Deep cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (DCVST) is a rare subtype of Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) that often leads to severe outcomes, including death or significant disability. Symptoms are nonspecific and varied, including headache, nausea, vomiting, focal neurological signs, hemiparesis, aphasia, seizures, and coma, which frequently result in delayed diagnosis. Unlike superficial CVST, DCVST may not exhibit clear localizing neurological symptoms and can present solely with altered consciousness, further complicating diagnosis. Despite its rarity, accounting for only a small fraction of CVST cases, DCVST is more prevalent in younger individuals, particularly women, often linked to risk factors such as congenital coagulation disorders, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, and head or neck infections. Diagnostic challenges are compounded by the potential for normal D-dimer levels and the absence of specific radiological findings early in the disease course.