CEREBRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN YOUNG-ADULTS - EXPERIENCE IN A STROKE UNIT, 1988-1994

We report a series of nine patients younger than 45 years with angiogr aphically-documented cerebral venous thrombosis, consecutively referre d to our Stroke Unit from 1988 to 1994. Two of them were men and seven women. Eight patients initially complained of headache, often associa ted with other symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Seven pati ents had focal motor deficits and four suffered from epileptic seizure s. None of the patients died Only one patient remained severely disabl ed, whereas the others recovered self-sufficiency within two months. T he use of oral contraceptives was closely associated with the occurren ce of venous thrombosis in the women. Cerebral venous thrombosis is to be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of stroke in the young.