Clinical presentations, radiological characteristics, and biological risk factors of cerebral venous thrombosis at a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Authors

• Abdullah S. Alamri, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Mohammed F. Almuaigel, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Zafar Azra, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Foziah J. Alshamrani, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Noor M. AlMohish, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Mona H. AlSheikh, From the Neurology Department (Alamri, Almuaigel, Alshamrani, Zafar, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar; from the Neurology Department, College of Medicine (Alamri, Alshamrani, Zafar), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; and from the Physiology Department (AlSheikh), College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical features and possible etiologies of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) in a Saudi Arabian cohort. Methods: A retrospective, observational design was implemented. Data pertaining to 36 patients (19 female and 17 male) with confirmed CVT diagnosis admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2019 were obtained and analyzed. Results: The age of patients ranged between 19 to 82 years, and the mean/median age was 33/29 years. Most commonly reported symptoms were headache ( 72%), unilateral lower limb weakness (39%), and seizures (17%). Papilledema was found in 8% of patients. Thrombotic disorders were identified in 14% and infections were identified in 8% of the patients. Two patients had ulcerative colitis, 2 were diagnosed with Behcet’s disease, and 2 women were using oral contraceptive pills. Single sinus thrombosis was detected in only 22% of patients. One patient with diabetic ketoacidosis died. Thrombotic disorder was the most common risk factor, followed by that iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: The transverse sinus was the most frequently thrombosed sinus. Iron deficiency anemia emerged as a predisposing preventable condition for CVT, while genetic factors were found to be less important in this cohort.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

213

Last Page

218

Recommended Citation

Alamri, Abdullah S.; Almuaigel, Mohammed F.; Azra, Zafar; Alshamrani, Foziah J.; AlMohish, Noor M.; and AlSheikh, Mona H. (2021) "Clinical presentations, radiological characteristics, and biological risk factors of cerebral venous thrombosis at a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 42: Iss. 2, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2021.2.25667