A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Clinical Features, Brain Imaging, and Treatment Efficacy in Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Abstract

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a challenging condition with potential long-term consequences, but it is also a treatable disorder that offers the possibility of complete recovery. This study was conducted to comprehensively investigate the clinical features, brain imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis. Materials and Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study, patients diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis were enrolled at Can Tho Central General Hospital between January 2021 and June 2022. Results: Notably, a substantial proportion of patients (83.4%) exhibited signs of brain damage, with intracranial hemorrhage (50%), brain infarction (30.9%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (16.6%), and hemorrhagic infarct (4.7%) being the predominant findings. Thrombosis primarily affected the superior sagittal sinus (85.7%), transverse sinus (52.4%), and sigmoid sinus (42.8%). All patients received anticoagulation treatment, resulting in a favorable recovery upon hospital discharge for the majority (90.5%), while a small percentage (9.5%) experienced critical illness or death. Conclusion: Our study on cerebral venous thrombosis found diverse clinical presentations, primarily headache. Intracranial hemorrhage was common, affecting superior sagittal, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses. Most patients achieved favorable recoveries with anticoagulation treatment, emphasizing early intervention's importance.The plain language summary: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a less common condition when compared to arterial thrombosis, which has received more research attention. However, CVT has not received the same level of focus and investigation. The study aimed to comprehensively examine the clinical features, brain imaging findings, and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with CVT. The findings revealed that patients with CVT commonly presented with symptoms such as headache, limb weakness, seizures, vomiting, and consciousness disorders. Neuroimaging showed significant brain damage, including intracranial hemorrhage and brain infarction. However, with appropriate anticoagulation treatment, the majority of patients achieved favorable recoveries. The study emphasizes the importance of early intervention and highlights the need for improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies for CVT.