Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and transient ischemic attacks: possible mechanism

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 566 - 568
• Main Authors: Chang, D I, Yoon, S S, Chung, K C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.10.1998
• Subjects: Cerebral Angiography; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient - diagnostic imaging; Ischemic Attack, Transient - pathology; Ischemic Attack, Transient - physiopathology; Ischemic Attack, Transient - therapy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - diagnostic imaging; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - pathology; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - physiopathology; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial - therapy
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.1998.13.5.566

Clinical manifestations of superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis are nonspecific but characterized by headache, papilledema, seizures, focal deficits, progressive coma and death. Recurrent transient focal neurologic deficit is an extremely rare manifestation in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and the mechanism is unknown. A 45-year-old man presented with headache for two weeks and four episodes of transient (5-10 minutes) right or left hemiparesis for two days. Magnetic resonance image and transfemoral cerebral angiography revealed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis with numerous prominent collateral venous channels. There was no parenchymal lesion. After four days of heparinization, no further transient focal neurologic deficits developed. Follow-up angiography showed partial recanalization of the SSS. Possible mechanism of transient ischemic attacks in this patient is thought to be a transient functional disturbance due to a temporal reduction of tissue perfusion in the process of operating fully-enough collateral channels.