Venous microembolic signals detected in patients with cerebral sinus thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the usefulness of the Doppler technique in the monitoring of microembolic signals in the main venous outflow pathways in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis.


METHODS
Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was performed with a range-gated 2-MHz transducer in 6 patients with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, in 5 subjects with platelet hyperaggregability, and in 20 healthy volunteers. Emboli monitoring was performed mainly in one distal internal jugular vein for 10 to 15 minutes.


RESULTS
Three of the six patients (50%) with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis had microemboli. None of the patients with platelet hyperaggregation or healthy volunteers revealed microemboli.


CONCLUSIONS
Microemboli can be found in superior sagittal sinus thrombosis by Doppler ultrasound. Their prognostic significance remains to be determined.
Valdueza
J M
JM
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Harms
L
L
Doepp
F
F
Koscielny
J
J
Einhäupl
K M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000150:complications; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D015995:Prevalence; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin