Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

Please submit your manuscript via our online submission system:
http://www.sciepub.com/author/signin

To unsubscribe from our mailing list, please click on the following link: unsubscribe

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

David Rain
Email:join@sciepub.com
Science and Education Publishing (http://www.sciepub.com)

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Rare Complication of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report

Oadi N. Shrateh*, Hashem M. Khdour, Duha Y. Jawaada, Haneen Owienah, Thaer Sweileh, Samer Barahmeh, Ahmad Al-Sarahneh

Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine

Abstract: Objective: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon but serious sequalae of severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Pregnancy and puerperium are important risk factors for CVST. Here, we report a case of CVST induced by hyperemesis gravidarum. Case report: A 25-year-old Palestinian woman, gravida 3, para 2 in the first trimester of her pregnancy. The patient was first diagnosed with severe hyperemesis gravidarum due to recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting. As the condition advanced, the patient had headache and generalized weakness for a one-week duration. Neuroimaging revealed extensive thrombosis in the cerebral sinuses; thereby CVST was diagnosed. The patient was treated with anticoagulant and had a complete recovery. Conclusion: Although rare, it is important to include cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in the differential diagnosis of any brain syndrome during all trimesters of pregnancy and puerperium. In this case study, we affirm the significance of suspecting CVST in pregnant women complaining of any neurological syndrome, especially in the setting of severe hyperemesis gravidarum.

Keywords: cerebral venous sins thrombosis, severe hyperemesis gravidarum, pregnancy, puerperium, neuroimaging, anticoagulation

Received July 28, 2022; Revised September 08, 2022; Accepted September 18, 2022

Citation: Oadi N. Shrateh, Hashem M. Khdour, Duha Y. Jawaada, Haneen Owienah, Thaer Sweileh, Samer Barahmeh, Ahmad Al-Sarahneh, Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Rare Complication of Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Case Report. American Journal of Medical Case Reports, 10 (9). 230-234. January 2022. doi:10.12691/ajmcr-10-9-5

1. Introduction

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare and serious condition. CVST is caused by complete or incomplete occlusion of the cranial sinuses and/or cerebral venous network and is responsible for 0.5-1% of all cerebrovascular accidents [1]. CVST tends to be more common in women compared to men, notably between the 20 and 35 ages. This gender predilection is rationally attributable to gender-specific risk factors (GSRF) including pregnancy, puerperium, hormonal treatment, and/or contraceptive usage [2]. The condition is also more prevalent in young individuals and those with parenchymal diseases [3]. CVST is characterized by incredibly variable and/or life-threatening clinical manifestation; thus, high clinical suspicion index is required [4,5]. The most frequent presentation of CVST is headache. Patients may also experience nausea, emesis, seizures, visual disturbances, and/or other neurological impairments [1,2]. Together with the aforementioned GSRF, there are several risk factors that increase the possibility of CVST including hypercoagulable conditions, dehydration, infection, and cerebral ischemia [4]. Non-enhanced Computed tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the preferred neuroimaging modalities for establishing the diagnosis. Anticoagulation is the prime CVST therapeutic option in clinical practice, as stipulated by the 2017 European ESO/EAN Guidelines [1]. According to pregnancy and puerperium periods, the vast majority of CVST cases occur in the third trimester and the first month following delivery [6]. Precisely, CVST seems to be 13 times more common in puerperium than in pregnancy. Even though it’s uncommon, CVST can also be encountered during the early stages of pregnancy [2]. Herein, we report a very rare case of CVST diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy which is aggravated by hyperemesis gravidarum.

2. Case Report

N.J., a 25-year-old Palestinian woman, gravida 3 para 2 in her 8th week of gestation. On May 3rd, 2022, she presented to the Obstetric Department of Al-Makassed Charitable Society Hospital-Jerusalem. The patient had generalized weakness, severe, persistent headache, fever along with decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting for a one-week duration. Prior to that time, the patient was repeatedly admitted into prenatal ward of our hospital due to sever recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting and was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. The patient denied any previous traumatic events, oral contraceptive use, personal and/or family history of thrombophilia, malignancy, systemic inflammatory disorders, or autoimmune diseases. She had never experienced similar symptoms in her prior pregnancies. Upon admission, physical assessment revealed a critically ill patient with altered mental status, decreased level of consciousness, neck stiffness, and a high temperature of 38.4°C with stable other vital signs. Neurological examination revealed no focal neurological deficit, photophobia, phonophobia, or abnormal movement. Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs were negative. Empirical antibiotics were prescribed. Laboratory evaluation including coagulation studies and investigations for connective tissue diseases were unremarkable. Lumber puncture was unable to be performed as the patient was started on empirical enoxaparin due to our suspicion for thrombotic event. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed hyperdensity in the left transverse sinus, superior sagittal sinus, straight sinus and left sigmoid sinus, these findings are suggestive of a thrombotic event, (Figure 1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patient’s head confirmed the diagnosis of Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis by disclosing of extensive thrombosis in the left transverse, superior sagittal, left sigmoid, straight sinuses, and internal cerebral vein (Figure 2). The Patient was treated appropriately with low molecular heparin and achieved complete recovery with an uneventful post-therapeutic period.

Figure 1. (A): is a computed tomography (CT) scan showing hyperdensity in the superior sagittal sinus, (B): is a CT scan showing hyperdensity in the straight sinus, (C): is a CT scan showing hyperdensity in the sigmoid sinus (arrows)

Figure 2. (A): is a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1, (B): is an MRI T2 showing thrombosis in the superior sagittal sinus, (C): is a Magnetic resonance venography showing absence of signal of part of superior sagittal sinus (arrows). (D): is an MRV maximum intensity projection showing thrombosis in the transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus and internal cerebral vein

3. Discussion

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an extremely rare and potentially fatal form of venous thromboembolism (VTE) which can be encountered during pregnancy and puerperal periods. It seems to be 13 folds more frequent during puerperium compared to the pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. The first trimester of pregnancy is very rare to be complicated by this drastic thrombotic event with an overall prevalence of 1.2/100000 deliveries [7]. Our patient experienced CVST during her 8th week of gestation. The most common presumed underlying mechanism of CVST in pregnancy is the fact that pregnancy itself is considered a hypercoagulable state which is aggravated by hyperemesis gravidarum that results in dehydration [7]. CVST begins with thrombus formation; this thrombus may undergo enlargement and cause venous occlusion and congestion. This will result in cerebral edema and mass-like effect with a resultant elevation of intracranial pressure. If not promptly managed, intracranial pressure will keep going up and eventually exceed arterial blood pressure leading to cerebral blood supply compromise and subsequent ischemia. The international Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis revealed that 86% of CVST cases occur in the transverse sinus, 62% in the superior sagittal sinus, 18% in the straight sinus, 17% in the cortical veins, 12% in the jugular veins and 11% in vein of Galen and internal cerebral vein [5]. In our case, the superior sagittal, left transverse, straight, left sigmoid sinuses and internal cerebral vein were all involved.

Essential headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, are the most frequent causes of headaches during pregnancy. Notwithstanding, new-onset, worsening headache, and/or headache changing in its character should raise suspicion for secondary underlying causes such as cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), subarachnoid bleeding (SAH), brain tumors, CVST, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Our patient presented with acute, sudden onset of persistent headache. The incidence of secondary headache increases in the pregnancy due to multiple factors including anesthesia use during labor, increased tendency for coagulation, dehydration (such as hyperemesis gravidarum) as well as hormonal fluctuations [8,9].

The clinical manifestation of CVST is obviously variable depending on several factors including age of the patient, the underlaying etiology, the location and extent of thrombosis. CVST patients may experience a constellation of complaints such as headache (87%), nausea and emesis (28%), seizure (24%), visual disturbances (27%), other neurological impairments (18%), altered mental status (18%), and cranial nerve palsies (18%) [5]. Other infrequent symptoms entail subarachnoid hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack and/or tinnitus [10]. Our patient had a constellation of generalized weakness, severe persistent headache, fever along with decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, altered mental status, diminished level of consciousness, and neck stiffness.

Given its rarity and wide clinical presentation diversity, emergent diagnosis of CVST is particularly challenging. Therefore, high clinical suspicion index and perspicacity are mandatory for establishing the diagnosis. Laboratory evaluation including complete blood count, coagulation studies, and metabolic testing should be performed to recognize any underlaying factor of CVST. Cerebrospinal fluid examination can also help in the exclusion of intracranial lesions. Elevation of D-Dimer may be a valuable diagnostic finding [11]. The gold standard diagnostic technique is brain neuroimaging, which is inevitably needed for diagnosis confirmation and detection of the exact site of CVST. The best initial neuroimaging test is a non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan [12]. Non-enhanced CT scan can enable direct visualization of thrombotic lesion (dense clot sign) and cord or string -like density (cord or string sign). These findings are termed as direct signs. Meanwhile, indirect signs include cerebral edema, midline structural deviation and/or intracerebral hemorrhage. CT scan with contrast can demonstrate a central area of minimal attenuation surrounded by contrast in a triangular shape (empty delta sign). 30% of patients may have normal or inconclusive CT scans; thus, unremarkable CT scan findings don’t exclude CVST [13]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI with contrast and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) remains the most favored diagnostic option for CVST, especially during pregnancy as it doesn’t involve radiation exposure. 1.5-T magnet MRI is considered safe and can be used effectively to diagnose CVST during all trimesters of pregnancy. Cerebral angiography has been recently replaced by CT scan and MRI [14]. In our patient, the CT scan showed hyperdensity in the superior sagittal sinus, left transverse, straight, and left sigmoid sinuses that suggested CVST (Figure 1). MRI revealed extensive superficial and deep cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and diagnosis of CVST was confirmed (Figure 2).

According to the European Stroke Organization and the European Academy of Neurology (ESO/EAN) guidelines, the best first-line therapy for CVST is anticoagulation. Anticoagulants play an important role in the promotion of already formed thrombus to resolve leading to recanalization of the affected veins or sinuses, prevention of further thrombus formation, treatment of the predisposing thrombotic disorders and avoidance of possible consequences encompassing pulmonary thromboembolism (PE). Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been shown to be superior to unfractionated heparin in terms of mortality and functional results with comparable systemic bleeding risks. Moreover, the inability of LMWH to cross the placenta, which minimizes its adverse teratogenic effects. These features made LMWH the best anticoagulant therapeutic option for CVST in pregnant women. Interventional thrombectomy can be effective in non-responding patients to antithrombotic treatment [2,15]. The vast majority of pregnant women treated with anticoagulation had a good prognosis with a 5-10% mortality rate [7]. Our patient was treated successfully with LMWH enoxaparin with complete recovery.

4. Conclusion

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of hyperemesis gravidarum if misdiagnosed and/or left untreated. CVST mostly occurs in the puerperium and third trimester of pregnancy. However, it can also complicate the first trimester. Due to the rare incidence and wide variability of its clinical presentation, CVST can be easily overlooked during pregnancy. Therefore, clinicians should be very meticulous in recognizing this condition as early as possible. The diagnosis of CVST may be initially ambiguous and requires constant vigilance and greater effort due to its non-specific manifestations. Whenever it’s suspected, neuroimaging is the best diagnostic modality of choice to detect CVST. Anticoagulation such as low molecular weight heparin is the first line of treatment.

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the assistance given to us by the hospital management and the head of the medical records department towards completing this project.

References

[1]  
Saposnik G, Barinagarrementeria F, Brown Jr RD, Bushnell CD, Cucchiara B, Cushman M, Deveber G, Ferro JM, Tsai FY. “Diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association”. Stroke.; 42(4): 1158-92. Apr 2011.

[2]   | Cantu C, Barinagarrementeria F. “Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with pregnancy and puerperium. Review of 67 cases”. Stroke.; 24(12): 1880-4. Dec 1993.
[3]   | Bousser, M.-G. and J.M. Ferro, “Cerebral venous thrombosis: an update”. The Lancet Neurology. 6(2): p. 162-170. Feb 2007.
[4]   | Lim, Y., “Aseptic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in early pregnancy”. Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine. 14(4): p. 237-239. Oct 2007.
[5]   | Duman T, Uluduz D, Midi I, Bektas H, Kablan Y, Goksel BK, Milanlioglu A, Orken DN, Aluclu U, Colakoglu S, Tüfekci A. “A multicenter study of 1144 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis: the VENOST study”. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. 1; 26(8): 1848-57. Aug 2017.
[6]   | Sharma, N., S.R. Sharma, and M. Hussain, “An audit of cerebral venous thrombosis associated with pregnancy and puerperium in teaching hospital in North Eastern India”. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 8(3): p. 1054. Mar 2019.
[7]   | Ferro JM, Canhão P, Stam J, Bousser MG, Barinagarrementeria F. “Prognosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis: results of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT)”. Stroke. 1;35(3): 664-70. Mar 2004.
[8]   | Edlow JA, Caplan LR, O'Brien K, Tibbles CD. “Diagnosis of acute neurological emergencies in pregnant and post-partum women”. The Lancet Neurology. 1; 12(2): 175-85. Feb 2013.
[9]   | Canhão P, Abreu LF, Ferro JM, Stam J, Bousser MG, Barinagarrementeria F, Fukujima MM, ISCVT Investigators. “Safety of lumbar puncture in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis”. European Journal of Neurology.; 20(7): 1075-80. Jul 2013.
[10]   | Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, Khan S, Ornello R, Raffaelli B, Terrin A, Reuter U, Mitsikostas DD. “Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review”. The journal of headache and pain.;18(1):1-20. Dec 2017.
[11]   | Dentali F, Squizzato A, Marchesi C, Bonzini M, Ferro JM, Ageno W. “D-dimer testing in the diagnosis of cerebral vein thrombosis: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature”. Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis.; 10(4): 582-9. Apr 2012.
[12]   | van Dam LF, van Walderveen MA, Kroft LJ, Kruyt ND, Wermer MJ, van Osch MJ, Huisman MV, Klok FA. “Current imaging modalities for diagnosing cerebral vein thrombosis–A critical review”. Thrombosis research. 1; 189:132-9. May 2020.
[13]   | Tanislav C, Siekmann R, Sieweke N, Allendörfer J, Pabst W, Kaps M, Stolz E. “Cerebral vein thrombosis: clinical manifestation and diagnosis”. BMC neurology.; 11(1): 1-5. Dec 2011.
[14]   | Ferro JM, Canhão P, de Sousa DA. “Cerebral venous thrombosis”. La Presse Médicale. 1;45(12): e429-50. Dec 2016.
[15]   | Allroggen H, Abbott RJ. “Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis”. Postgraduate medical journal. 1;76(891): 12-5. Jan 2000.