COVID-19-associated Isolated Cortical Vein Thrombosis: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in CSF

Neurohospitalist. 2022 Jul;12(3):520-523. doi: 10.1177/19418744221079145. Epub 2022 Mar 4.

Abstract

COVID-19 has been associated with central nervous system manifestations; however, cerebral venous thrombosis is rarely reported. A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with headache and recurrent seizures; she was recently discharged after COVID-19 pneumonia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography showed cortical vein thrombosis in the right frontal lobe. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patient was anticoagulated and put on antiepileptics. The most probable mechanism underlying the venous thrombosis is COVID-19-associated hypercoagulability. However, the relation between the viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the thrombosis is controversial.

Keywords: COVID-19; intracranial sinus thrombosis; seizures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports