Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in the COVID-19 Pandemic

J Neuroophthalmol. 2020 Dec;40(4):457-462. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001122. Epub 2020 Oct 28.

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have noted concern for increased thromboembolic events in the setting of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a form of thromboembolism that has been observed as a neuro-ophthalmologic complication of COVID-19.

Methods: Review of the scientific literature.

Results: In this article, we report an overview of CVST epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostics, disease pathophysiology, and management in the setting of COVID-19.

Conclusion: CVST is an uncommon thromboembolic event with variable phenotypes and multiple etiologies. Neurologic complications can be severe, including significant visual deficits and death. Current observations suggest that the risk of CVST may be profoundly impacted by this novel COVID-19 pandemic, thus prompting increased attention to disease presentation, pathogenesis, and management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / diagnosis
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / epidemiology*
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / physiopathology
  • United States / epidemiology