Inaugural cerebral sinovenous thrombosis revealing homocystinuria in a 2-year-old boy

J Child Neurol. 2015 Jan;30(1):107-12. doi: 10.1177/0883073813520502. Epub 2014 Mar 5.

Abstract

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is unusual during childhood and requires early and accurate management because of its detrimental consequences. We report on the case of a 2-year-old boy with mild psychomotor delay, who presented with nonfebrile acute ataxia. A brain computed tomographic (CT) scan showed complete thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography and associated with a right frontal hemorrhagic infarction. Systematic screening for thrombophilia revealed homocystinuria linked to cystathionine β-synthase deficiency with underlying compound heterozygosity. The evolution was favorable after anticoagulant therapy, specific diet, and vitamin supplementation. This case is of interest because of the unusual clinical presentation as a pediatric cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Furthermore, homocystinuria is rarely revealed by cerebral sinovenous thrombosis at the onset of the disease and should systematically be ruled out in pediatric stroke.

Keywords: cerebral sinovenous thrombosis; childhood; homocystinuria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis / blood
  • Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis / complications*
  • Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / etiology
  • Gadolinium
  • Homocysteine / blood
  • Homocystinuria / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Disorders / etiology*
  • Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Homocysteine
  • Gadolinium