Neuro: Intracranial Venous Thrombosis: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Intracranial Venous Thrombosis🎧 A high-yield breakdown of this rare but critical cause of stroke-like symptoms – perfect for MSRA prep and clinical vigilance!🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• A clot within the brain’s venous system, typically in the dural venous sinuses, causing impaired drainage, raised intracranial pressure, and possible infarction or haemorrhage.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Hypercoagulable states (e.g. pregnancy, OCP use, malignancy)• Infections (e.g. sinusitis – often staph aureus)• Trauma or neurosurgery• Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, Behçet's)• Haematological conditions (e.g. sickle cell, TTP)• Idiopathic in some cases🧠 Mnemonic: “THROMBOSIS” – Trauma, Hormones, Rheum, OCP, Malignancy, Behçet’s, Obstruction, SLE, Infection, Sickle📌 Pathophysiology• Hypercoagulability + stasis + endothelial damage (Virchow’s triad)• Leads to venous congestion, raised ICP, infarction and/or haemorrhage📌 Symptoms• Severe headache (often thunderclap-like)• Seizures (in 40%)• Focal deficits (e.g. hemiparesis, aphasia)• Visual symptoms: diplopia, papilloedema• Altered consciousness, nausea, vomiting🧠 Group by: Headache, Seizure/Consciousness, Focal Deficits, Cranial Nerve Signs📌 Differential Diagnosis• Subarachnoid haemorrhage• Arterial stroke• Brain tumour• Migraine• Pseudotumour cerebri• Meningitis📌 Diagnosis• MRI venography (gold standard)• CT venography (alternative)• Standard CT may be normal in 70% – doesn’t rule it out!• D-dimer, thrombophilia screen, FBC, TFTs, LFTs🛑 Avoid LP if raised ICP suspected!📌 Management• Anticoagulation with LMWH → warfarin (target INR 2–3)• Supportive: raise head, treat seizures• Consider endovascular therapy in severe cases• Long-term anticoagulation only if recurrent📌 Complications• Seizures, hydrocephalus• Venous infarction, cerebral oedema• Neurological deficits• Brain herniation, intracranial haemorrhage📌 Prognosis• Generally good with early treatment• Recurrence ~2.8%, mortality ~10%• Poorer outcomes with infection, haemorrhage, or delayed diagnosis📎 More MSRA Resources for Intracranial Venous Thrombosis📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intracranial-venous-thrombosis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intracranial-venous-thrombosis-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intracranial-venous-thrombosis-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/intracranial-venous-thrombosis-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/neurology-for-the-msra/#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #IntracranialVenousThrombosis