Pulmonary embolism: An unusual complication of cerebral venous thrombosis

Pathologic data indicate that venous thrombosis is frequently found simultaneously at several sites.1,2 The source of pulmonary embolism (PE) is located in the upper venous tree in 12.6% of autopsy records.1 Catheterization of internal jugular vein, infectious disease, or co-morbidity related to malignancy are the main sources of PE in these patients.1 A review of 39 cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) showed that right heart failure consistent with PE was frequent.2 In this report, patients had conditions favoring lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and further PE. In contrast, occurrence of CVT and PE without evidence of systemic venous thrombosis is unusual.3 Between January 1, 2002, and March 31, 2005, 28 consecutive patients were diagnosed with CVT in our department. The diagnosis was based on MRI including MR venography. Symptomatic PE was suspected in four patients and confirmed by lung perfusion CT in two patients and by scintigraphy …