CVST Early Symptoms and Lifesaving Treatments
CVST may present with a headache and neurological symptoms, such as weakness, confusion, or blurred vision.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s veins. This clot prevents blood from flowing properly, leading to increased pressure in the blood vessels. As a result, the pressure can cause swelling and bleeding in the brain.
Identifying the early symptoms of CVST is important to ensure timely treatment and prevent complications.
What are the early symptoms of CVST?
Early symptoms of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) often start with a headache. This may be accompanied by “red flag” neurological signs, including blurred vision, motor weakness, or seizures.
Headache
A headache is the most common initial symptom and can range from mild to severe, sometimes resembling a migraine or tension headache.
A study involving people with confirmed CVST who had come to the emergency department experienced the following:
- Acute onset headache: sudden and severe headache, present in 42.1% of patients.
- Thunderclap headache: very severe headache (often described as the worst headache of one’s life) that reaches its peak intensity within seconds, present in 31.6% of patients.
- Subacute headache: a gradually worsening headache over days or weeks, present in 26.3% of patients.
Headaches were often described as pressing (63.2%). They occurred in different areas, with the most common being holocranial (covering the entire head) at 57.9%. Other locations include one side of the head (hemicranial), the back of the head (occipital), and the front of the head (frontal).
Neurological symptoms
Neurological symptoms are common in CVST. Here is a breakdown according to the study previously discussed:
- Neuro-visual symptoms (36.8%): These symptoms involve issues with vision and eye movements, such as double vision or difficulty focusing, often due to problems with the brain’s control of eye functions.
- Motor weakness (26.3%): This refers to diminished muscle strength and control, which can affect movement and coordination. It’s often a sign of problems in the nervous system.
- Altered consciousness levels (21.1%): This includes changes in awareness or alertness, ranging from confusion to unconsciousness, indicating possible brain dysfunction.
- Behavioral disturbances (21.1%): These are changes in behavior or personality, such as agitation or inappropriate actions, often due to neurological issues.
- Seizures (10.5%): These are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain, leading to convulsions or loss of consciousness. They are less common in this context.
- Speech disturbances (less common): Speech disturbances involve difficulty speaking or understanding language.
- Gait instability (less common): Gait instability refers to problems with walking or balance.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting in CVST are often linked to increased intracranial pressure and brain dysfunction caused by the blockage of venous blood flow. These symptoms may suggest more extensive brain damage.
Approximately 42.1% of individuals with CVST experienced nausea or vomiting.
What are the risk factors for CVST?
CVST can be influenced by one or multiple risk factors. Some individuals with CVST may have several contributing factors rather than just one.
Risk factors for CVST include the following:
A 2020 study involved 33 patients with confirmed CVST based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR venography (MRV). The participant group included 29 females and 4 males with an average age of 31.36 years.
Of the 29 females, 3 were pregnant, and 26 were in the postpartum period. For 12 participants (41.4%), this was their first pregnancy.
The study found the following:
Researchers concluded that CVST is a significant cause of intracranial hypertension, seizures, and stroke in young people, with symptoms varying widely.
CVST in transgender people
You’ll notice that the language used to share stats and other data points is pretty binary.
The studies and surveys referenced in this article didn’t report data on, or include, participants who were transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderqueer, agender, or genderless.
However, blood clots are a well-known risk for some people undergoing both estrogen- and testosterone-based HRT. Your doctor will be regularly testing your blood throughout your use of HRT, but you should make sure to inform them if you also experience CVST symptoms.
How long does it take for CVST to develop?
The development of CVST can vary significantly from person to person. It can develop over hours, days, or even weeks. The timeline depends on various factors such as the underlying cause, individual health conditions, and the location and size of the clot.
Here is a general overview of the progression:
On average, it takes about 4 days for someone to seek medical help after their initial symptoms of CVST start. This delay can occur because the symptoms may be nonspecific or mistaken for other conditions.
Next steps if you suspect CVST
If you suspect cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), follow these steps:
Can CVST resolve on its own?
Sometimes, CVST can resolve on its own, especially if the blood clot is very small, and if appropriate treatment is started promptly. However, it is crucial to seek medical treatment to reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes.
Treatment often involves antithrombotic or anticoagulant medications to help dissolve the clot and prevent new clots from forming. In more severe cases, surgery or other interventions may be necessary.
Only a medical professional will be able to tell if someone has CVST and what treatment is needed.
Takeaway
Recognizing CVST early is key to effective treatment. Common early symptoms include persistent headaches, blurred vision, motor weakness, and seizures.
Getting an early medical assessment and imaging are crucial for diagnosis and treatment. Early action improves the chances of recovery and lowers the risk of severe complications.
Hey there, little buddy! Let’s talk about something called CVST. It’s a kind of stroke that happens when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood in the brain. This can cause bad headaches, stuff like that, and even make it hard for you to walk or talk.
Sometimes it comes on super fast, like within hours, and people need to go to the hospital right away. But other times it can start a little slower, over days or even weeks. It’s kind of like having a big headache, but much worse!
There are some things that can make it more likely for someone to get CVST. Being pregnant, too high or low blood sugar, and some medicines can cause it. Even having a bad cold or the flu can increase the chances.
So, if you have a really bad headache or can’t see well, you should tell your parents, and they’ll take you to the doctor. They might order some special tests to check if there’s a clot. If there is, the doctor will fix it with medicine or sometimes surgery. The sooner it gets treated, the better!
And that’s it! I hope you understood it pretty well! Now, go tell your friends!
What is Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)?
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) is a rare form of stroke that occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses. This clot prevents blood from draining out of the brain, leading to increased intracranial pressure and potential brain damage.
What are the early symptoms of CVST?
Early symptoms of CVST can include severe headache, visual disturbances, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and neurological deficits like weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
How is CVST diagnosed?
CVST is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans with venography, which help to visualize the blood flow in the brain’s veins.
What are the common risk factors for developing CVST?
Common risk factors include oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, obesity, dehydration, inherited blood clotting disorders, and certain chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent cases have also linked CVST with COVID-19 and its vaccines.
What are the lifesaving treatments for CVST?
Lifesaving treatments for CVST often involve anticoagulant medications, like heparin, to dissolve the clot and prevent new ones from forming. In severe cases, thrombolytic therapy or mechanical thrombectomy may be required to restore normal blood flow.
Can lifestyle changes help prevent CVST?
Yes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of CVST. This includes staying hydrated, managing a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and monitoring chronic health conditions that can increase clotting risk.
When should someone seek medical attention for CVST?
If someone experiences persistent and severe headaches, sudden vision problems, seizures, or neurological symptoms like weakness or confusion, they should seek immediate medical attention as these could be signs of CVST.
