title: Frequency and temporal profile of recanalization after cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The temporal course of recanalization and its association with clinical outcome were analysed in our patients with cerebral sinus and/or venous thrombosis (CSVT) and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1998 and September 2014 all patients from our institutions with CSVT were systematically analysed. Baseline data, treatment characteristics and follow-up MRI were retrospectively recorded. The status of recanalization was assessed as complete (CRec), partial (PRec) or failed recanalization. Clinical follow-up was measured with the modified Rankin Scale. Excellent outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale 0-1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-nine patients were identified; 97% of these patients were treated with oral anticoagulation (OAC) and the median (min-max) time of OAC was 7 months (1-84). CRec was achieved in 57.6% (57/99), PRec in 29.3% (29/99) and only 13 (13.1%) patients did not recanalize. The median (min-max) time to PRec was 4 months (0.25-14) and to CRec 6 months (2-34). Median time to last clinical follow-up was 8 months (1-88); 91.8% (89/99) had an excellent outcome at last clinical follow-up and only 2.1% (2/99) died. Only thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus was independently associated with successful recanalization (odds ratio 16, 95% confidence interval 2-138). No severe haemorrhagic complications and no recurrence of CSVT occurred within clinical follow-up. No association of outcome and recanalization status was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recanalization rate of CSVT under OAC was high and the median time to CRec was 6 months. Thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus is a positive predictor of recanalization. Outcome in this cohort was excellent but no significant association of outcome and recanalization status was found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herweh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Griebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geisbüsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neumaier-Probst
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hennerici
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendszus
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ringleb
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: anticoagulation; cerebral sinus and venous thrombosis; recanalization