Neuropediatrics 2003; 34(1): 36-39
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38615
Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Isolated Internal Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Neonate with Increased Lipoprotein (a) Level: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations

S. Friese 1 , I. Müller-Hansen 2 , M. Schöning 3 , U. Nowak-Göttl 4 , W. Küker 1
  • 1Department of Neuroradiology, University of Tübingen Medical School, Tübingen, Germany
  • 2Department of Neonatology, University of Tübingen Medical School, Tübingen, Germany
  • 3Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Tübingen Medical School, Tübingen, Germany
  • 4Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 16, 2002

Accepted after Revision: October 10, 2002

Publication Date:
11 April 2003 (online)

Abstract

Background

Internal cerebral venous thrombosis is a life-threatening condition, which requires immediate therapy. Being infrequent in childhood, internal venous thrombosis is very rare in the neonate and has never been observed without concomitant occlusion of further dural sinuses.

Case Description

We report a neonate born at term, who developed seizures on the third day of life after normal pregnancy and uneventful delivery. Ultrasound and CT disclosed bilateral intraventricular and intracerebral hemorrhage with an unusual distribution for germinal matrix hemorrhage. MRI disclosed thrombotic occlusion of the straight sinus and the internal cerebral veins with concomitant bleeding into the ventricles, the basal ganglia, thalamus and the periventricular hemispheres. The other sinuses were not affected. The clinical condition of the child improved after initiation of a low-dose heparin treatment with subsequent partial recanalization of the occluded vessels. The screening for risk factors disclosed an elevated lipoprotein (a) level, also present in both parents.

Conclusion

Internal cerebral venous thrombosis may be encountered in neonates and must be included in the list of differential diagnosis of perinatal intraventricular and intracerebral bleeding. MRI allows the diagnosis even in the absence of widespread dural sinus occlusion. Low dose heparin may be a therapeutic option in these cases. This is the first report of neonatal internal venous thrombosis due to hereditary lipoprotein (a) level elevation, which must be included in the list of possible predisposing conditions.

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Dr. Wilhelm Küker

Department of Neuroradiology
University Hospital Tübingen

Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 3

72076 Tübingen

Germany

Email: wmkueker@med.uni-tuebingen.de