Cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis in Isfahan-Iran: a changing profile.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to investigate the clinical presentation and predisposing factors for cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis (CVST) in Isfahan, Iran.


METHODS
Data from the records of all patients with CVST referred to the largest tertiary-care hospital of Isfahan during a five-year period (1997 to 2001) were extracted and reviewed.


RESULTS
The number of cases with CVST diagnosed annually was 6, 9, 11, 14 and 15 patients, respectively. Thirteen men and 42 women were diagnosed to have CVST with the mean age of 35.1 +/- 3.8 and 28.7 +/- 1.3 years, respectively. Headache was the most frequent complaint (95%) and 63% of patients had focal neurological symptoms, including seizure (58%). Among possible predisposing factors, oral contraceptive pill was the most prevalent one, which was used by 38.1% of affected women for a period of as short as 1-3 months. Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in 14% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that the annual incidence of CVST is increasing in Isfahan, perhaps due to more extensive intake of oral contraceptive pills and usage of more accurate modern diagnostic tools. The use of oral contraceptive pills was the most frequent predisposing factor; infections and postpartum factors were infrequently observed. Despite other reports from the Middle East, Behçet's disease is not a principal risk factor for CVST in Isfahani patients.
Saadatnia
Mohammad
M
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. saadatnia@medscape.com
Mousavi
Seyyed Ali
SA
Haghighi
Sassan
S
Aminorroaya
Ashraf
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002550:Cerebral Veins; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral