Unilateral Internal Cerebral Vein Thrombosis: Imaging of an Uncommon Case and Literature Review

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis can lead to detrimental outcomes such as cerebral edema, hemorrhagic infarcts, neurological deficits, and death if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Patients with deep cerebral venous thrombosis face a poorer prognosis, with 29.4% experiencing lifelong dependence or death. Unilateral internal cerebral vein thrombosis is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening entity not widely published in literature. It can mimic arterial infarcts from artery of Percheron/basilar tip thrombosis, infectious, neoplastic and metabolic disorders. Radiologists must recognize its imaging features to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment. In this article, we present the imaging findings of an uncommon case of unilateral internal cerebral vein thrombosis and how it can be distinguished from other diagnoses. We also review relevant literature, explore the tendency for left internal cerebral vein thrombosis, and discuss the diagnostic accuracy and pitfalls in imaging.