Deep cerebral venous thrombosis in thalamo-ventricular hemorrhage of the term newborn.

ABSTRACT

Unilateral thalamic bleeding with associated intraventricular hemorrhage is reported in three full-term neonates. The first presented within 48 hours from birth with early onset streptococcal meningitis, persistent pulmonary hypertension, tonic seizures and a tense fontanelle. The second presented 6 days after birth with irritability, opisthotonus, a tense fontanelle and tonic seizures. The third was admitted three days after birth with seizures and a tense fontanelle. In the latter two infants NMR and CT imaging documented thrombosed superficial and deep cerebral veins. The etiopathogenesis of intracranial venous thrombosis in the neonate is diverse asphyxia, dehydration, polycythemia, sepsis-meningitis and difficult delivery are the main causes. In one of our patients jugular vein compression by the collar of a negative-pressure ventilation chamber probably initiated the intracranial events. More than half of the survivors sustain severe neurological impairment.