Cerebral Venous Sinus Thromboses in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Three Cases and a Review of the Literature

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Dec;29(12):105412. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105412. Epub 2020 Oct 19.

Abstract

Introduction: Early studies suggest that acute cerebrovascular events may be common in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and may be associated with a high mortality rate. Most cerebrovascular events described have been ischemic strokes, but both intracerebral hemorrhage and rarely cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have also been reported. The diagnosis of CVST can be elusive, with wide-ranging and nonspecific presenting symptoms that can include headache or altered sensorium alone.

Objective: To describe the presentation, barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of CVST in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We abstracted data on all patients diagnosed with CVST and COVID-19 from March 1 to August 9, 2020 at Boston Medical Center. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature and extracted all published cases of CVST in patients with COVID-19 from January 1, 2020 through August 9, 2020 and included all studies with case descriptions.

Results: We describe the clinical features and management of CVST in 3 women with COVID-19 who developed CVST days to months after initial COVID-19 symptoms. Two patients presented with encephalopathy and without focal neurologic deficits, while one presented with visual symptoms. All patients were treated with intravenous hydration and anticoagulation. None suffered hemorrhagic complications, and all were discharged home. We identified 12 other patients with CVST in the setting of COVID-19 via literature search. There was a female predominance (54.5%), most patients presented with altered sensorium (54.5%), and there was a high mortality rate (36.4%).

Conclusions: During this pandemic, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for CVST in patients with a recent history of COVID-19 presenting with non-specific neurological symptoms such as headache to provide expedient management and prevent complications. The limited data suggests that CVST in COVID-19 is more prevalent in females and may be associated with high mortality.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cerebral venous sinus thromboses; SARS-CoV-2; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / therapy
  • Female
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / diagnostic imaging
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / etiology*
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants