Polycythaemia Vera presenting as Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis ? A Case Report

A.G. Kulkarni, Jyoti Kharche, Kulin Sheth, Vaibhav Dube

Abstract: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis although being multifactorial in aetiology, is now being increasingly suspected and diagnosed clinically and radiologically. Its occurrence with polycythaemia vera is rare. Polycythemia may present clinically due to hypercoagulable state or an additional precipitating factor may bring the patient to the hospital. We report a case of a chronic alcoholism, presenting as complex partial seizures, with radiological imaging suggestive of thrombosis of multiple cerebral sinuses. The patient was then found to have polycythaemia on further investigations. The contributing factors for acute presentation likely include alcohol ingestion and associated dehydration. After institution of appropriate therapy and phlebotomy, the patient showed dramatic improvement, and he was then discharged on appropriate treatment.

Keywords: venous sinus thrombosis, seizure, alcohol, polycythaemia vera