Cortical Vein Thrombosis

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ortical Vein Thrombosis (CVT), is most common neurological complications seen in puerperium.  The incidence of CVT is increased in pregnancy and in the puerperium. Puerperium is the time immediately after the delivery of a baby. (In Latin a "puerpera" is a woman in childbirth since "puer" means child and "parere" means to give birth.) Puerperal fever is childbirth (or childbed) fever due to an infection usually of the placental site within the uterus. If that infection involves the bloodstream, it constitutes puerperal sepsis.


The incidence is estimated to be between 10 – 20 per 1,00,000 deliveries in developed countries and its incidence is higher in developing countries. It is difficult to distinguish cortical vein thrombosis from post-Dural puncture headache (PDPH).

Predisposing factors – Prothrombotic conditions, OCP’s, Pregnancy, puerperium, head injury, malignancy and infection.

Clinical Features – Headache is most common feature, focal neurological signs, seizures and coma.

Diagnosis is done based on the Basis of MR Venography

Image shows MR Venography

Treatment –

Anticonvulsants for Seizures, heparinization is recommended by most (but efficacy is controversial).

Antimicrobials for septic thrombophlebitis.

Fibrinolytic therapy is reserved for those women falling systemic anticoagulation.


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