Deep cerebral venous thrombosis in thalamo-ventricular hemorrhage of the term newborn.
Unilateral thalamic bleeding with associated intraventricular hemorrhage is reported in three full-term neonates. The first presented within 48 hours from birth with early onset streptococcal meningitis, persistent pulmonary hypertension, tonic seizures and a tense fontanelle. The second presented 6 days after birth with irritability, opisthotonus, a tense fontanelle and tonic seizures. The third was admitted three days after birth with seizures and a tense fontanelle. In the latter two infants NMR and CT imaging documented thrombosed superficial and deep cerebral veins. The etiopathogenesis of intracranial venous thrombosis in the neonate is diverse: asphyxia, dehydration, polycythemia, sepsis-meningitis and difficult delivery are the main causes. In one of our patients jugular vein compression by the collar of a negative-pressure ventilation chamber probably initiated the intracranial events. More than half of the survivors sustain severe neurological impairment.
Govaert
P
P
Department of Pediatrics, Gent University Hospital, Belgium.
Achten
E
E
Vanhaesebrouck
P
P
De Praeter
C
C
Van Damme
J
J
D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002550:Cerebral Veins; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D013788:Thalamus