Cerebral venous sinus thrombus (CVST)

"Cerebral venous sinus thrombus" refers to a blood clot forming within the major venous sinuses or large draining veins of the brain. This obstruction impedes normal venous blood outflow, which can lead to increased intracranial pressure, local venous infarction, hemorrhagic transformation, and compromised cerebrospinal fluid absorption. Clinically, this can manifest as headache, focal neurological signs, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or death. Management targets the underlying thrombus with anticoagulation and, in select cases, thrombolysis or surgical intervention

Other names

Cerebral vein thrombusIntracranial venous thrombosisThrombus in cerebral venous sinusesThrombus in intracranial veins

Anticoagulants: prevent propagation or formation of additional thrombi by inhibiting the clotting cascade Thrombolytics: degrade existing fibrin in thrombi to dissolve the clot