Abstract:

Objective: Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is increasingly recognized in children with advanced use of neuroimaging techniques. In this study, we aimed to present clinical and radiologic features of CSVT in children. Material and Methods: Children aged 1 month to 18 years old diagnosed with CSVT were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of patients including age at diagnosis, sex, presenting symptoms and signs, risk factors for thrombosis, treatment and prognosis were collected. Results: Twelve children were included in the study, 8 of them were male. Headache (n=7), seizures (n=5) and visual impairment (n=4) were the most common presenting symptoms. The superficial venous system was involved in all patients, in five patients deep venous system was also involved. Parenchymal involvement was present in three patients. Two children had isolated cortical vein thrombosis. All patients had underlying risk factors. Five children had recent infections, six children were diagnosed with Behçet’s disease, three with mastoiditis. High lipoprotein (a) level was found in two patients. One patient had a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and received l-asparaginase treatment. All patients were treated with anticoagulants. One patient received tissue plasminogen activator, complicated with intracranial bleeding. Three patients with parenchymal involvement had moderate to severe motor impairment. All patients presenting with seizure had parenchymal involvement and followed up with epilepsy. Conclusion: CSVT causes significant morbidity. Especially in older children presenting with CSVT, symptoms and signs of Behçet’s disease should be questioned. Mastoiditis is still an important reason for CSVT in children.

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