Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Mimicking Limbic Encephalitis

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is challenging to diagnose, as it presents with variable symptoms. We encountered a complicated case of CVT that mimicked limbic encephalitis due to sensory aphasia. Based on the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings, this 72-year-old Japanese man was later confirmed to have CVT, the cause of which was periodontitis due to Eikenella corrodens, a Gram-negative facultative anaerobic that is part of the mouth’s normal flora. The symptoms improved without sequelae following anticoagulation treatment and antibiotics. Clinicians should consider CVT as a differential diagnosis when unexplainable neurological symptoms suggesting limbic encephalitis are observed.