CVT in the Peripartum Period: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Abstract

Women in the peripartum period can develop headache with a variety of etiologies that require a multidisciplinary approach if unresponsive to treatment (Stella et al. 2007). Neuroimaging needs to be undertaken even occasionally in the absence of focal neurologic signs to rule out life-threatening causes of headache. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman who presented postpartum with severe frontal headache without other neurologic symptoms. Treatment was initiated for tension type, then subsequently postdural puncture headache (PDPH), and finally preeclampsia. When CT venogram was obtained ten days later, the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) was made. She was started on anticoagulation and achieved complete recovery.