Anemia: an uncommon cause of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a multifactorial illness seen more commonly in females as compared to males. Its diagnosis is often delayed due to variable clinical presentations. It is now identified more often due to advancements in neuroimaging modalities. We present an uncommon case of CVST caused by anemia in a 23-year-old female. Our patient presented with complaints of headache since the past two days and left sided hemiplegia since past one day. Later on during her hospital stay she developed generalized tonic clonic seizures. MRI and MRV brain with contrast revealed right cerebral venous (vein of Trolard) thrombosis. Blood tests showed hypochromic microcytic anemia which was the likely precipitating factor in our case as thrombophilia factors were normal. Headache and focal neurological symptoms should raise suspicion of CVST in anemic patients. Early commencement of anticoagulation along with correction of underlying cause, anemia in this case, leads to better prognosis.