Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: Current Updates in the Asian Context.

Abstract

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a life-threatening cause of stroke in Asian countries. South Asia, comprising of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, contributed to 40% of strokes in women. Major CVT registries are from the Western nations, which differs from the Asian countries with respect to epidemiology, gender biases, and risk factors. This review focuses on the various aspects of relevance in evaluation and management of patients with CVT in the Asian context.

Summary: The incidence of CVT is higher in Asia than in Western nations. Young age, female gender, especially in pregnancy and puerperal period, and dehydration appear to be the critical risk factors. Tropical infections like malaria, scrub typhus, and flaviviral encephalitis predispose to CVT. There is a higher prevalence of inherited thrombophilia in the Asian cohorts, contributing to prothrombotic states. Anticoagulation and supportive management offer excellent outcomes. Newer anticoagulants are safe and efficacious. In medically refractory cases, endovascular treatment offers modest benefits. Decompressive hemicraniectomy, when done early, offers mortality benefits in patients with large hemorrhagic venous infarctions.

Key messages: CVT is an important cause of stroke with a high burden in South Asian countries. Establishment of robust registries is the need of the hour to study the natural history, course, and outcomes and to develop management algorithms tailored to the available resources.