A 25-year-old primigravida with a history of pre-eclampsia was brought to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe headache. The headache started two days after delivery. It was followed by confusion and loss of consciousness over a few hours. On initial evaluation, the patient was confused with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 12/15, blood pressure of 130/90 mmHg, pulse rate of 82 beats/min, respiratory rate of 30/min, temperature 98°C, and oxygen saturation of 97 mmHg at room temperature. On physical examination, bilateral equivocal planters were noted with no other significant findings, and bilateral papillary edema on fundoscopy was seen. The rest of the review system was unremarkable. She underwent an urgent MRI with magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the brain, which showed right transverse sinus thrombosis with an element of SAH (Figure ).\nCoagulation profile, including thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), antithrombin III, fibrinogen, proteins C and S, antiphospholipid antibody titers, and homocysteine levels, were normal. She was started on a half dosage of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (60 mg subcutaneously once a day) with regular monitoring of her blood pressure and GCS. Her GCS started improving; therefore, she was continued on a half dose of LMWH for 10 days, and brain MRI was repeated after 10 days, which showed the gradual resolution of SAH (Figure ). The quantity of LMWH was doubled, and warfarin was started after a full dose of LMWH. After improving her GCS and achievement of international normalized ratio (INR) of two to three, she was discharged with the advice of regular INR monitoring and follow-up to the outpatient department. On follow-up at six weeks, MRI with MRV was repeated, which showed thrombosis had resolved, although a mild filling defect was noted. She was kept on anticoagulants for one year, and on further follow-up at six months, she was doing well.
A 60-year-old male experienced one month of escalating bifrontal headaches refractory to analgesics and antibiotics prescribed for presumed sinusitis. The headaches increased during sneezing, bending over, or bedrest and improved when he was sitting or standing. There was no history of trauma. His prior medical history was notable for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. There was no family history of coagulopathy or thrombophilia. He was married, employed, used 0.5 packs of tobacco (7.5 packs/years), consumed alcohol socially, and did not use any illicit drugs. His vital signs were notable for sinus bradycardia with a heart rate of 39 and elevated BP of 184/86 mmHg. He had no other significant findings on physical examination; detailed neurologic examination was unremarkable. Routine admission laboratory studies were within normal limits. Coagulation studies including platelet function assays were normal.\nNoncontrasted head CT demonstrated a 19 mm left isodense SDH with 10 mm of midline shift []. The collection was more prominent in the frontal region. A CT angiogram was obtained prior to surgery, and no source of bleeding was identified. He underwent a mini-craniotomy; and repeat CT imaging after the procedure [] demonstrated excellent hematoma evacuation and brain reexpansion.\nA scheduled follow up head CT obtained on postoperative day 27 was notable for recurrent SDH with a frontal predilection \n[]. The appearance and location were similar to the initial presentation. He was readmitted to the hospital and underwent SDH drainage via burr hole. On subsequent imaging with MRI, MR angiography, and MR venography, a filling defect was visible in the distal left transverse sinus and no flow was observed in the distal left sigmoid sinus or internal jugular vein. These findings were confirmed on CT venography.\nPatient underwent cerebral angiography on postoperative day 7 after SDH evacuation []. Left carotid injection was notable for a prominent left vein of Labbe with delayed wash-out, a filling defect in the left transverse sinus, and retrograde flow in the left transverse sinus with subsequent drainage into the right transverse sinus. Transvenous catheterization confirmed retrograde drainage of the left transverse sinus and venous stasis in the left vein of Labbe. Manometric readings in the left sigmoid sinus and both transverse sinuses were elevated (18-25 mmHg range). Thrombectomy with the Penumbra device and venoplasty with 7 × 20 mm balloon were performed; 10 mg of systemic abciximab was administered. Follow up venography demonstrated improved flow in the left vein of Labbe, restored normal direction of flow in the sinuses with normalized pressure (11 mmHg) in the left transverse sinus. Daily aspirin (325 mg) was initiated on the day of this intervention; patient was discharged home without neurologic deficits. A follow-up CT venogram at 6 weeks demonstrated patent venous sinuses and no recurrence of his SDH. His 3 month clinical outcome was excellent (modified Rankin score 0).