UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Neurology

Title: The Rising Incidence of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Keywords: cerebral venous thrombosis, CVT, prothrombotic, headache (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/10/2020 by WanTsu Wendy Chang, MD
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  • Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is thought to predominantly affect young and middle-aged females. 
    • Known risk factors include prothrombotic states such as malignancy and oral contraceptive use, as well as local infections and head trauma.
  • The incidence of stroke in young adults is rising worldwide.
  • A recent study by Otite et al. examined the incidence of CVT during 2006-2016 in New York and Florida utilizing the State Inpatient Database.
    • CVT remains an uncommon condition though number of admissions increased 70%.
    • Mean age of patients increased with number of hospitalizations in the elderly doubled.
    • Incidence was highest in Blacks, followed by non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics.
  • This rise in incidence may be related to increased recognition, improved diagnostic studies, increased neuroimaging utilization, emerging or unknown risk factors. 

Bottom Line: The incidence of CVT is increasing with rate of increase higher in males and older females.  Consider CVT beyond traditional risk factors. 

 

References

  • Otite FO, Patel S, Sharma R, et al. Trends in incidence and epidemiological characteristics of cerebral venous thrombosis in the United States. Neurology. 2020 Aug 26 [Online ahead of print]

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