Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Following Oral Contraceptive Use: A Case Series
Authors/Creators
Description
Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon but potentially devastating stroke subtype affecting
young women, and oral contraceptive (OCP) use is its most frequent reversible risk factor.
Objective: To review published case reports/series of OCP-associated CVST alongside the epidemiologic, pathophysiologic,
diagnostic, and management literature.
Methods: Narrative review of case reports, case-control and cohort studies, meta-analyses, and guidelines.
Findings: CVST incidence is roughly 1.3 per 100,000 person-years, higher in reproductive-age women; OCP use confers a pooled
odds ratio near 7-10, rising with inherited thrombophilia (prothrombin G20210A, Factor V Leiden). Published cases span isolated
headache to fulminant, fatal disease, occasionally complicated by subdural hematoma or dural arteriovenous fistula. MRV/CTV is
diagnostic; D-dimer has limited negative predictive value. Anticoagulation is first-line, with thrombectomy and decompressive
craniectomy for refractory or malignant courses.
Conclusions: Prognosis is generally favorable with prompt anticoagulation and OCP discontinuation; guidelines support
progestin-only or non-hormonal contraception thereafter.
Files
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Following Oral Contraceptive Use A Review of Published Cases.pdf
Additional details
Identifiers
- ISSN
- 2688-1071
Related works
- Is documented by
- Journal article: 2688-1071 (ISSN)
Dates
- Accepted
-
2025-06-06
Software
- Repository URL
- https://somatopub.com/index.php/ACCR/article/view/392/175
References
- Coutinho, J.M., Ferro, J.M., Canhão, P., Barinagarrementeria, F., Cantú, C., Bousser, M.G., Stam, J. (2009) Cerebral Venous and Sinus Thrombosis in Women. Stroke, 40(7): 2356-2361. 3. Martinelli, I., Sacchi, E., Landi, G., Taioli, E., Duca, F., Mannucci, P.M. (1998) High Risk of Cerebral-Vein Thrombosis in Carriers of a Prothrombin-Gene Mutation and in Users of Oral Contraceptives. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(25): 1793-1797. 4. de Bruijn, S.F., Stam, J., Koopman, M.M., Vandenbroucke, J.P. (1998) Case-control study of risk of cerebral sinus thrombosis in oral contraceptive users who are carriers of hereditary prothrombotic conditions. BMJ, 316(7131): 589-592.