Sinus thrombosis

At a Sinus thrombosis it is a special type of thrombosis. The main characteristic of the disease is that blood clots occur in large cerebral veins. These blood clots are also known as thrombi and, in the case of sinus thrombosis, are concentrated in the hard skin area of ​​the brain. This is also called sinus durae matris in medical terms, from which the name of the disease is derived.

What is Sinus Thrombosis?

Basically are Sinus thrombosis associated with various complications. A particularly high risk is that they may cause strokes in the brain. The disease is sometimes referred to as sinus vein thrombosis, but the short form 'sinus thrombosis' is more common. The typical symptom of the disease is that a so-called cerebral sinus closes.

According to the current state of knowledge, the exact prevalence of sinus thrombosis is not known. Estimates of the incidence of the disease are around three to five new cases per million people each year. Female patients are three times as likely to be affected by sinus thrombosis as male patients.

The average age at the onset of the disease is between 30 and 40 years. Sinus thrombosis is far less common than occluded arteries. It is also true that children develop sinus thrombosis less often than adults.

causes

The causes of the occurrence of sinus thrombosis are different. In some cases, infections with pus in the area of ​​the face or suppuration of the paranasal sinuses are responsible for the development of the disease. Meningitis or so-called mastoiditis can also lead to the formation of a sinus thrombosis.

If such causes are present, the disease is also known as septic sinus thrombosis. It is also possible that various blood clotting disorders trigger a sinus thrombosis. The coagulation of the blood is usually increased, for example in the context of an antithrombin deficiency. In principle, pregnant women are at a higher than average risk for such coagulation disorders.

Special contraceptives and drugs also have a negative effect on blood clotting. In principle, not every blood clot develops into a sinus thrombosis with corresponding symptoms. In some cases, the blood flow may reverse or the thrombus will dissolve.

Other infectious causes for the formation of sinus thrombosis are, for example, sinusitis, tonsillitis, abscesses on the teeth or in the brain, and empyema. Potential generalized causes of the disease include, for example, tuberculosis or typhoid, measles and malaria.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Sinus thrombosis is characterized by different symptoms. In the beginning, pain in the head area and epileptic seizures up to changes in the personality of the person concerned are often possible. In later stages of sinus thrombosis, there may be impaired vision, clouding of consciousness and paralysis of the body.

Sometimes the affected patients suffer from unconsciousness. If there is a sinus thrombosis with infectious causes, people often suffer from a fever. This is the case, for example, with meningitis and sinusitis. However, it should also be noted that sinus thrombosis takes an asymptotic course in around one third of all patients.

In the other cases, the symptoms are often ambiguous and do not indicate a single disease, making therapy more difficult. The long-term effects of sinus thrombosis include, for example, increased pressure in the brain, which is associated with considerable complications. In the worst case, the sick people die of the sinus thrombosis.

Diagnosis & course of disease

The diagnosis of sinus thrombosis is usually difficult because the symptoms that occur indicate numerous different diseases. In principle, a doctor should be informed if typical symptoms occur. This will first have an intensive conversation with the patient, the so-called anamnesis.

The attending physician discusses the exact complaints and lifestyle as well as consumption habits of the person. Diseases from the past are also discussed. In this way, the doctor receives information on the current illness.

After the consultation with the patient, the focus is on the clinical picture of the disease. In sinus thrombosis, for example, it is advisable to check the D-dimer level. Brain imaging is also used to diagnose sinus thrombosis.

The MRI scan reveals a blood clot or the bleeding that caused it. The blood sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein as markers of inflammation are checked in the context of blood analyzes. The number of leukocytes in the blood is also determined.

Complications

If left untreated, sinus thrombosis leads to death in the majority of cases. Before this, complications such as epileptic seizures, paralysis and impaired vision or consciousness occur. If the disease is then left untreated, blood rushes into the brain and eventually a stroke. A stroke always results in serious complications: The person concerned usually suffers from neurological and mental deficits or dies shortly after the stroke.

In any case, permanent brain damage occurs, which considerably restricts the quality of life and well-being of the person concerned. The drug treatment of a sinus thrombosis can cause side effects and interactions as well as allergic reactions. The typically prescribed drug heparin often causes hypersensitivity reactions such as reddening of the skin, itching and burning. In the event of an overdose, the bleeding tendency may increase. In addition, symptoms such as aching limbs, itching, hives and nausea with vomiting can occur.

Spasms of the bronchial muscles, which are associated with shortness of breath, a drop in blood pressure and a lack of blood platelets, cannot be ruled out. Infections can occur with intravenous medication. With longer therapies, germs can colonize within a few days. This often results in thrombophlebitis, bacteremia and / or sepsis. Abscesses and hematomas can also occur.

When should you go to the doctor?

Sinus thrombosis must always be treated promptly by a doctor. The disease does not heal on its own, which is why professional help is always necessary. If the sinus thrombosis is not treated, it can, in the worst case, lead to death if the heart is stressed too much. A doctor should be consulted in the case of a sinus thrombosis if the person concerned suffers from severe headaches or severe neck pain. In most cases, there is also a markedly reduced vision, whereby most of those affected can also experience loss of consciousness.

If these symptoms occur and do not go away on their own, a doctor must be consulted in any case. Epileptic seizures can also indicate sinus thrombosis and should also be treated. In the event of an epileptic fit, an emergency doctor should be contacted immediately. Sinus thrombosis can be examined and treated by a cardiologist, which usually requires surgery. The life expectancy of the person affected may also be limited by the disease.

Treatment & Therapy

Various measures and options exist with regard to the treatment of sinus thrombosis. First, the affected patients receive the substance heparin in high doses. Later on, anticoagulants are used for at least six months and are taken orally.

The drug phenytoin reduces the likelihood of seizures. When the pressure in the brain increases, the active ingredient mannitol is usually administered. Sinus thromboses with infectious causes should be treated with antibiotics. In the majority of cases, patients recover completely with adequate therapy.

prevention

Sensible measures for the prevention of sinus thrombosis are currently hardly tested, so that no reliable statements can be made in this regard.

Aftercare

In the case of a sinus thrombosis, an early diagnosis of the disease is important so that there are no complications or other complaints in the further course. As a rule, independent healing cannot occur, so that the person affected with this disease should always consult a doctor very early. The earlier a doctor is contacted, the better the further course of the disease is usually.

As a rule, those affected with sinus thrombosis have to rely on various medications and drugs to relieve the symptoms. The correct dosage and regular intake should always be observed. This is the only way to properly limit the symptoms.

Consult a doctor first if anything is unclear or if you have any questions. Likewise, alcohol should not be drunk when taking antibiotics, as this can otherwise reduce the effect. Sinus thrombosis can usually be healed relatively easily, so that the life expectancy of the person affected is not reduced. Further follow-up measures are not available to the person concerned and are usually not necessary.

You can do that yourself

If the blood flow is disturbed, the person affected should ensure that his blood circulation is adequately supported in daily activities. In everyday life, postures that could lead to blood congestion should therefore be avoided. Stiff posture or kinked limbs help reduce blood flow. If there is a tingling sensation on the skin, sensory disorders, cold fingers or feet or a decrease in physical performance, posture must be optimized.

Since sinus thrombosis can lead to a life-threatening condition, it is necessary to work with a doctor.To support this, training units can be carried out independently, which contribute to an improvement in blood circulation. Regular movements and wearing loose clothing help to minimize the risk of blood congestion in the organism. Moving over long distances should be well planned in advance. The required freedom of movement must be taken into account during transport.

In addition, wearing thrombosis stockings can be very helpful in everyday life. Sports activities should take place regularly so that the blood circulation is stimulated. In addition, blood formation and blood pressure can be stimulated through food intake. These are self-help measures that should be viewed as support. Freedom from symptoms or permanent recovery is not achieved.