Radiological and clinical features of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in newborns and older children

SummaryBackground and purposeCerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) represents an increasingly recognized cause of pediatric stroke. Our purpose was to assess gender and age differences in the etiology, clinical presentation, and imaging features of CSVT in neonates and older children.MethodsSubjects aged newborn to 18 years diagnosed with CSVT at the Lille university hospital between 2011 and 2014 were included.ResultsEleven neonates and 16 non-neonates constituted the study population. The incidence of CSVT was significantly higher in male newborns. Clinical presentation did not vary significantly between the groups. Risk factors were age-dependent, with acute systemic illnesses significantly predominating in neonates (54%), whereas local infections, prothrombotic conditions, and trauma were more common in older children (36, 27, and 27% respectively). No predisposing factor could be identified in 36% of the neonates as compared to less than 5% of the non-neonates. Thrombosis of the deep venous structures was documented in 73% of the neonates whereas involvement of the superficial sinuses was significantly more frequent in the non-neonates group. Venous infarctions and extraparenchymal hemorrhages were significantly more frequent in the neonates group.ConclusionMale patients are at higher risk for CSVT than females. In neonates, involvement of the deep venous structures is significantly more common. Brain parenchymal and extraparenchymal changes occur more frequently in this age group than in older children.