If you believe your child is currently showing signs of having a stroke it is important to visit an Emergency Room or call 911 immediately.
What is a Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis?
Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT), also called sinus venous thrombosis, occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein near the brain and prevents blood from emptying out of the brain. This type of blood clot may cause brain hemorrhage and has become increasingly recognized as a cause of childhood and neonatal strokes.
Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis Causes
The most common causes of CSVT include:
- Heart disease, both congenital and acquired
- Sickle cell disease
- Serious infections, such as meningitis
- Trauma
- Dehydration
- Blood clotting disorders
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Cancer and cancer treatment
There are other risk factors associated with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, but in some cases there is no concrete origin.
To speak with a pediatric stroke care specialist, call 314.454.5437 or contact us online.
Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis Symptoms
The most common symptom of sinovenous thrombosis are severe headaches. Nearly 90% of people with CSVT experience headaches that increase in pain over several days and may be accompanied by vomiting sleepiness or double vision. Babies may not be able to complain of a headache, but have irritability, sleepiness or vomiting.
Other symptoms of sinovenous thrombosis include seizures, hypotonia (extreme lethargy and sleepiness), fainting, vision problems and hemiparesis (one-sided mobility, often manifesting in left-side weakness).
If you believe your child is currently showing signs of having a stroke it is important to visit an Emergency Room or call 911 immediately.
Diagnosis of CVST
Diagnosis of sinovenous thrombosis is often conducted by a pediatric neurologist and begins with a medical history interview and physical exam. The medical team may ask about any history of trauma, infection, delayed development or a family history of bleeding disorders. The physical exam will look for any signs of weakness, numbness and other signs of stroke.
Diagnostic testing may include:
- Brain imaging studies. Special tests that make pictures of the brain, such as an MRI or CT scan, are often performed to look for physical evidence of stroke in the brain.
- Blood tests. Blood is taken to look for signs of infection and blood clotting abnormalities.
- Heart and blood vessel studies. Heart rhythm is checked with an EKG and special pictures of the heart and blood vessels may be taken to look for abnormalities.
- Lumbar puncture. Fluid is taken from the spinal cord to look for signs of bleeding in the brain.
Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis Treatment
It is important to call 911 or visit the Emergency Room at the first sign of stroke. Once at the hospital, there are a wide range of treatment options. The type of treatment used will depend on the cause of the stroke and the patient’s age and medical history.
Treatment options for CSVT may include:
- Fluids given intravenously to avoid or reverse dehydration
- Anticonvulsant drugs to prevent and control seizures
- Antithrombotic agents, for treating abnormal blood clotting
- Blood thinning medications
- Acute physical therapies
It is important to diagnose and treat a stroke in infants and children as quickly as possible. If you believe your child is currently showing signs of having a stroke it is important to visit an Emergency Room or call 911 immediately.
To speak with a pediatric stroke care specialist call us at 314.454.5437 or contact us online.
