Deep cerebral venous system involvement in patients with cerebral sinus thrombosis. A proposal of neuroradiological score systems useful for clinical assessment

Purpose To develop a neuroradiological score in patients with deep cerebral venous thrombosis (DCVT), capable of assessing extension of intracranial changes and venous occlusion at diagnosis; to assess the relationship between neuroradiological and clinical features at follow-up. Material and methods In 14 patients with DCVT, we developed 2 score systems on non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced CT: Intracranial Imaging Score (IIS) and Venous Occlusion Imaging Score (VOIS). ISS considers parenchymal venous strokes, hemorrhage, mass effect, and hydrocephalus; VOIS evaluates unilateral or bilateral venous occlusion extension. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and vessel recanalization status were assessed at follow-up. Results At diagnosis, higher IIS was related to bilateral venous thrombosis involvement ( p 0,02; r :0,60), but parenchymal strokes were not related to venous occlusion extension (unilateral or bilateral) ( p > 0,05). Moreover, the symptoms’ onset time did not correlate with the severity scores ( p > 0,05). At follow-up, 8 out of 14 patients showed good clinical outcomes with complete recanalization and neurological improvement, 1 patient showed a poor neurological outcome, whereas 5 patients died within 1 week. Positive correlations were found between IIS and mRS ( p 0,003, r = 0,73), between IIS and vessels’ recanalization status ( p 0,002, r = 0,75), and between vessels’ recanalization status and mRS ( p < 0,001, r = 0,98). Conclusion Neuroradiological scores may enhance diagnostic accuracy, and they may have a predictive significance. In patients with DCVT, although intracranial involvement was not influenced by symptoms’ onset time or extension of venous occlusion, clinical outcome was related to both intracranial involvement and venous recanalization state. Collateral venous drainage status may counterbalance the thrombotic process improving prognosis.