CEREBRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN A YOUNG MALE SECONDARY TO POLYCYTHAEMIA

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of venous thromboembolism, a challenge to diagnose and treat. Here we present, a 32-year-old man with long-standing smoking and alcohol consumption presented with holocranial headache, projectile emesis, blurring of vision, and diplopia. Imaging demonstrated extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) of the superior sagittal, bilateral transverse, and sigmoid sinuses. Work-up for aetiology was negative apart from borderline SS-A and Mi-2 positivity. Polycythaemia due to smoking and alcohol was the suspected cause. Management was anticoagulation, venesection, and anti-oedema treatment. Vision worsened to loss of perception during hospital stay and patient was taken up for placement of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. The case brings out CVT as a possible complication of secondary polycythaemia.