Local fibrinolysis in cerebral venous thrombosis

Extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis may cause death or severe neurologic sequelae. A minimally responsive 10-year-old boy with thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, left transverse and left sigmoid sinus, torcular, vein of Galen, and straight sinus under-went fibrinolytic therapy with urokinase during transfemoral venous angiography. He improved dramatically during the procedure as antegrade venous flow was re-established. Local thrombolytic therapy may be beneficial for other patients with rapid neurologic deterioration caused by extensive thrombosis of superficial and deep venous structures.