Thrombosed dural sinus malformation in a fetus: a case report

J Neuroimaging. 2014 Nov-Dec;24(6):603-606. doi: 10.1111/jon.12099. Epub 2014 Mar 5.

Abstract

Background and purpose: A thrombosed dural sinus malformation (DSM) is a rare condition, the clinical features of which have not yet been completely characterized. Here, we describe the clinical course of a patient with a thrombosed DSM and discuss the outcomes in live birth cases from a review of the literature.

Case description: An ultrasonography examination of a 32-year-old woman at 25 weeks' gestation indicated a fetal posterior fossa mass. The size of the intracranial mass remained constant during the second trimester and was observed to decrease from 33 weeks of gestation. A postnatal diagnosis of thrombosis in the dural sinus was established by magnetic resonance imaging and venography. No brain damage or hydrocephalus was noted. Although the circumference of the infant's head was enlarged at birth, her neurological outcome was normal at 1 year of age.

Conclusions: Although normal cranial circumference is reportedly an essential factor for a favorable prognosis, the patient in this report with a cranial circumference at + 2.0 SD (35.6 cm) had a favorable prognosis. Further studies focused on improving clinical diagnostic accuracy in this rare entity will facilitate appropriate counseling.

Keywords: Thrombosed dural sinus malformation; fetus; outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / embryology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / embryology*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*