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Thrombosis of inferior sagittal sinus

Last edited: 4/22/2026

Overview

Thrombosis of the inferior sagittal sinus is a rare but serious condition characterized by venous thrombosis within the dural sinuses, often presenting with nonspecific neurological symptoms such as headache, papilledema, and focal deficits. While most literature focuses on superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, principles may extend to inferior variants given shared pathophysiology 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Headache, papilledema, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and cognitive changes 168101928.
  • Imaging:
  • - CT: High-density lesions in affected sinuses, empty delta sign, pseudo-delta sign 1622233334. - MRI: Detects thrombus and associated complications like hemorrhagic infarcts 162129. - MR Venography: Superior for detailed visualization of sinuses and collateral pathways 1725. - CT Venography: Equivalent to MR venography for diagnosis 17.
  • Labs: Elevated D-dimer, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time; consider hypercoagulable state screening (e.g., factor V Leiden, protein S deficiency) 91326.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatments:
  • - Anticoagulation: Heparin, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) 11126. - Thrombolysis: Local urokinase thrombolysis for extensive thrombosis 34.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Antiedema Measures: Diuretics to manage intracranial hypertension 828. - Seizure Control: Anticonvulsants for seizure management 828. - Mechanical Thrombectomy: Novel devices for recanalization in refractory cases 3414.

    Special Populations

  • Pregnancy and Postpartum: Recognized risk period; monitor closely for symptoms 826.
  • Pediatrics: Rare but possible after minor head injuries; early diagnosis crucial 730.
  • Comorbidities: Hypercoagulable states (e.g., factor V Leiden, protein S deficiency) increase risk 913.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Early Imaging: Utilize CT and MRI for prompt diagnosis of dural sinus thrombosis 161721233334 (Evidence: Strong).
  • Anticoagulation Therapy: Initiate heparin or LMWH for anticoagulation 11126 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Monitor for Hypercoagulable States: Screen for inherited thrombophilias in patients with thrombosis 913 (Evidence: Moderate).
  • Consider Thrombolysis for Extensive Thrombosis: Use local thrombolysis in cases with extensive thrombosis unresponsive to anticoagulation 34 (Evidence: Weak).
  • Manage Intracranial Pressure: Employ antiedema measures such as diuretics to control intracranial hypertension 828 (Evidence: Expert opinion).
  • References

    1 Mclaughlin TB, Turner KB, Altaf R, Madruga M, Carlan SJ. Unmasking Hypercoagulability: Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis Attributed to Pernicious Anemia in a Patient With Normal Hemoglobin Levels. The American journal of case reports 2026. link 2 Byrd SE, Abramowicz JS, Kent P, Kimura RE, Elias D, Heydeman PT. Fetal MR imaging of posterior intracranial dural sinus thrombosis: a report of three cases with variable outcomes. Pediatric radiology 2012. link 3 Blackham KA. Extensive dural sinus thrombosis: successful recanalization with thrombolysis and a novel thrombectomy device. Journal of neurosurgery 2011. link 4 Khan SH, Adeoye O, Abruzzo TA, Shutter LA, Ringer AJ. Intracranial dural sinus thrombosis: novel use of a mechanical thrombectomy catheter and review of management strategies. Clinical medicine & research 2009. link 5 Agid R, Farb RI. Mastoid effusion associated with dural sinus thrombosis. European radiology 2005. link 6 Uchino A, Eriguchi M, Sawada A, Takase Y, Nishihara M, Kurohara K et al.. Gyral abnormalities in the early stage of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. European radiology 2005. link 7 Yuen HW, Gan BK, Seow WT, Tan HK. Dural sinus thrombosis after minor head injury in a child. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2005. link 8 Nazziola E, Elkind MS. Dural sinus thrombosis presenting three months postpartum. Annals of emergency medicine 2003. link00389-5) 9 Stephan CL, SantaCruz K, May C, Wilkinson SB, Cunningham MT. Fatal dural sinus thrombosis associated with heterozygous factor V Leiden and a short activated partial thromboplastin time. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 2003. link 10 Singh T, Chakera T. Dural sinus thrombosis presenting as unilateral lobar haematomas with mass effect: an easily misdiagnosed cause of cerebral haemorrhage. Australasian radiology 2002. link 11 Wasay M, Bakshi R, Kojan S, Bobustuc G, Dubey N, Unwin DH. Nonrandomized comparison of local urokinase thrombolysis versus systemic heparin anticoagulation for superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Stroke 2001. link 12 Pirogovsky A, Adi M, Dagan A, Sinai L, Sthoeger D, Barzilai N et al.. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: a rare complication in a child with nephrotic syndrome. Pediatric radiology 2001. link 13 Kuroki K, Taguchi H, Sumida M, Onda J. Dural sinus thrombosis in a patient with protein S deficiency--case report. Neurologia medico-chirurgica 1999. link 14 Hsu FP, Kuether T, Nesbit G, Barnwell SL. Dural sinus thrombosis endovascular therapy. Critical care clinics 1999. link70085-3) 15 Chang DI, Yoon SS, Chung KC. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and transient ischemic attacks: possible mechanism. Journal of Korean medical science 1998. link 16 Guermazi A, Miaux Y, Williams M, Turki C, Frija J. Dural sinus thrombosis: CT and MR imaging of different stages. Journal belge de radiologie 1997. link 17 Ozsvath RR, Casey SO, Lustrin ES, Alberico RA, Hassankhani A, Patel M. Cerebral venography: comparison of CT and MR projection venography. AJR. American journal of roentgenology 1997. link 18 Valdueza JM, Schultz M, Harms L, Einhäupl KM. Venous transcranial Doppler ultrasound monitoring in acute dural sinus thrombosis. Report of two cases. Stroke 1995. link 19 Macken P, Arora A, Hipwell G, Hunyor A. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis--an unexpected cause of papilloedema. Australian and New Zealand journal of ophthalmology 1992. link 20 Diaz JM, Schiffman JS, Urban ES, Maccario M. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a syndrome rediscovered. Acta neurologica Scandinavica 1992. link 21 Tsuruda JS, Shimakawa A, Pelc NJ, Saloner D. Dural sinus occlusion: evaluation with phase-sensitive gradient-echo MR imaging. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology 1991. link 22 Ulmer JL, Elster AD. Physiologic mechanisms underlying the delayed delta sign. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology 1991. link 23 Shintani S, Murase H, Ota H, Tsukagoshi H, Shiozawa Z. "Pseudo-delta sign" on computed tomography in an extremely acute stage of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis--a case report. Angiology 1990. link 24 Shevell MI, Silver K, O'Gorman AM, Watters GV, Montes JL. Neonatal dural sinus thrombosis. Pediatric neurology 1989. link90065-9) 25 Sze G, Simmons B, Krol G, Walker R, Zimmerman RD, Deck MD. Dural sinus thrombosis: verification with spin-echo techniques. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology 1988. link 26 Schell CL, Rathe RJ. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Still a killer. The Western journal of medicine 1988. link 27 Shinohara Y, Yoshitoshi M, Yoshii F. Appearance and disappearance of empty delta sign in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Stroke 1986. link 28 Thron A, Wessel K, Linden D, Schroth G, Dichgans J. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: neuroradiological evaluation and clinical findings. Journal of neurology 1986. link 29 McMurdo SK, Brant-Zawadzki M, Bradley WG, Chang GY, Berg BO. Dural sinus thrombosis: study using intermediate field strength MR imaging. Radiology 1986. link 30 Hesselbrock R, Sawaya R, Tomsick T, Wadhwa S. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis after closed head injury. Neurosurgery 1985. link 31 Shiozawa Z, Yamada H, Mabuchi C, Hotta T, Saito M, Sobue I et al.. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis associated with androgen therapy for hypoplastic anemia. Annals of neurology 1982. link 32 Patronas NJ, Duda EE, Mirfakhraee M, Wollmann RL. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis diagnosed by computed tomography. Surgical neurology 1981. link80082-1) 33 Ford K, Sarwar M. Computed tomography of dural sinus thrombosis. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology 1981. link 34 Brismar J. Computer tomography in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Acta radiologica: diagnosis 1980. link 35 Williamson BR, Teates CD, Bray ST, Riddervold HO, Lees RF, Wakefield JA. Radionuclide brain scan findings in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Clinical nuclear medicine 1978. link 36 Kingsley DP, Kendall BE, Moseley IF. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: an evaluation of the changes demonstrated on computed tomography. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry 1978. link 37 Barnes BD, Winestock DP. Dynamic radionuclide scanning in the diagnosis of thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus. Neurology 1977. link 38 Gettelfinger DM, Kokmen E. Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis. Archives of neurology 1977. link

    Original source

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      Unmasking Hypercoagulability: Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis Attributed to Pernicious Anemia in a Patient With Normal Hemoglobin Levels.Mclaughlin TB, Turner KB, Altaf R, Madruga M, Carlan SJ The American journal of case reports (2026)
    2. [2]
      Fetal MR imaging of posterior intracranial dural sinus thrombosis: a report of three cases with variable outcomes.Byrd SE, Abramowicz JS, Kent P, Kimura RE, Elias D, Heydeman PT Pediatric radiology (2012)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      Intracranial dural sinus thrombosis: novel use of a mechanical thrombectomy catheter and review of management strategies.Khan SH, Adeoye O, Abruzzo TA, Shutter LA, Ringer AJ Clinical medicine & research (2009)
    5. [5]
      Mastoid effusion associated with dural sinus thrombosis.Agid R, Farb RI European radiology (2005)
    6. [6]
      Gyral abnormalities in the early stage of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis.Uchino A, Eriguchi M, Sawada A, Takase Y, Nishihara M, Kurohara K et al. European radiology (2005)
    7. [7]
      Dural sinus thrombosis after minor head injury in a child.Yuen HW, Gan BK, Seow WT, Tan HK Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (2005)
    8. [8]
      Dural sinus thrombosis presenting three months postpartum.Nazziola E, Elkind MS Annals of emergency medicine (2003)
    9. [9]
      Fatal dural sinus thrombosis associated with heterozygous factor V Leiden and a short activated partial thromboplastin time.Stephan CL, SantaCruz K, May C, Wilkinson SB, Cunningham MT Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (2003)
    10. [10]
    11. [11]
    12. [12]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: a rare complication in a child with nephrotic syndrome.Pirogovsky A, Adi M, Dagan A, Sinai L, Sthoeger D, Barzilai N et al. Pediatric radiology (2001)
    13. [13]
      Dural sinus thrombosis in a patient with protein S deficiency--case report.Kuroki K, Taguchi H, Sumida M, Onda J Neurologia medico-chirurgica (1999)
    14. [14]
      Dural sinus thrombosis endovascular therapy.Hsu FP, Kuether T, Nesbit G, Barnwell SL Critical care clinics (1999)
    15. [15]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and transient ischemic attacks: possible mechanism.Chang DI, Yoon SS, Chung KC Journal of Korean medical science (1998)
    16. [16]
      Dural sinus thrombosis: CT and MR imaging of different stages.Guermazi A, Miaux Y, Williams M, Turki C, Frija J Journal belge de radiologie (1997)
    17. [17]
      Cerebral venography: comparison of CT and MR projection venography.Ozsvath RR, Casey SO, Lustrin ES, Alberico RA, Hassankhani A, Patel M AJR. American journal of roentgenology (1997)
    18. [18]
    19. [19]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis--an unexpected cause of papilloedema.Macken P, Arora A, Hipwell G, Hunyor A Australian and New Zealand journal of ophthalmology (1992)
    20. [20]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a syndrome rediscovered.Diaz JM, Schiffman JS, Urban ES, Maccario M Acta neurologica Scandinavica (1992)
    21. [21]
      Dural sinus occlusion: evaluation with phase-sensitive gradient-echo MR imaging.Tsuruda JS, Shimakawa A, Pelc NJ, Saloner D AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (1991)
    22. [22]
      Physiologic mechanisms underlying the delayed delta sign.Ulmer JL, Elster AD AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (1991)
    23. [23]
    24. [24]
      Neonatal dural sinus thrombosis.Shevell MI, Silver K, O'Gorman AM, Watters GV, Montes JL Pediatric neurology (1989)
    25. [25]
      Dural sinus thrombosis: verification with spin-echo techniques.Sze G, Simmons B, Krol G, Walker R, Zimmerman RD, Deck MD AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (1988)
    26. [26]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Still a killer.Schell CL, Rathe RJ The Western journal of medicine (1988)
    27. [27]
    28. [28]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: neuroradiological evaluation and clinical findings.Thron A, Wessel K, Linden D, Schroth G, Dichgans J Journal of neurology (1986)
    29. [29]
      Dural sinus thrombosis: study using intermediate field strength MR imaging.McMurdo SK, Brant-Zawadzki M, Bradley WG, Chang GY, Berg BO Radiology (1986)
    30. [30]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis after closed head injury.Hesselbrock R, Sawaya R, Tomsick T, Wadhwa S Neurosurgery (1985)
    31. [31]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis associated with androgen therapy for hypoplastic anemia.Shiozawa Z, Yamada H, Mabuchi C, Hotta T, Saito M, Sobue I et al. Annals of neurology (1982)
    32. [32]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis diagnosed by computed tomography.Patronas NJ, Duda EE, Mirfakhraee M, Wollmann RL Surgical neurology (1981)
    33. [33]
      Computed tomography of dural sinus thrombosis.Ford K, Sarwar M AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (1981)
    34. [34]
      Computer tomography in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis.Brismar J Acta radiologica: diagnosis (1980)
    35. [35]
      Radionuclide brain scan findings in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis.Williamson BR, Teates CD, Bray ST, Riddervold HO, Lees RF, Wakefield JA Clinical nuclear medicine (1978)
    36. [36]
      Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis: an evaluation of the changes demonstrated on computed tomography.Kingsley DP, Kendall BE, Moseley IF Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry (1978)
    37. [37]
    38. [38]
      Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis.Gettelfinger DM, Kokmen E Archives of neurology (1977)

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