Multiple thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses, neonatal seizures, and minor parenchymal lesions: a case report and a review of the literature

Background: Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare disease with potential catastrophic consequences. However, neonatal brain damage after venous injury and long-term neurologic outcomes have been poorly investigated. Some found an association between site and number of sinus occlusions, severity of lesions, clinical presentation and the neurodevelopmental outcome. Case presentation: We describe the case of a term newborn girl with multiple CSVT who presented with clonic seizures and who received early treatment with heparin. MRI scans showed a progressive recanalization of deep venous system, and only minor cerebral lesions were present at 3 months of life. Neurocognitive outcome was normal at 12 months of life. Conclusions: This case demonstrates that multiple CSVT presenting with severe seizures does not necessarily underlie major cerebral lesions or lead to severely abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome.