Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient with appendicular abscess: a case report

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common abdominal emergency, while cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cerebral vascular disease. Cases of CVST in patients with appendicitis have not been reported in literature.

Case description: Here we reported a case of CVST in a patient with appendicular abscess. The patient presented to our department complaining of a headache for 6 days, and he had a history of abdominal pain 15 days before admission. Abdominal contrast enhanced CT revealed appendicular abscess, head magnetic resonance venography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed thrombosis in the left transverse and sigmoid sinus. Antithrombotic treatments were administered, antibiotic treatments and puncture and drainage were used for treating appendicular abscess. The patient's headache disappeared after 10 days of treatment, and he recovered well clinically at 3 months follow up.

Conclusions: CVST after acute appendicitis is rare and we should be aware of this complication when suspicious symptoms occurs. However, the underlying mechanisms remains further investigation.

Keywords: appendicular abscess; case report; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; diagnosis.