Role of surgery in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) usually is taken care of by medical management or neuro-interventional vascular techniques. Some cases of CVST may take a malignant course if the intracranial pressure increases excessively. This increase in pressure is because of oedema in brain tissue due to impediment in venous return and/or intracerebral haemorrhage. Neurosurgical experience has shown remarkable recovery in these moribund patients if appropriate surgical intervention is done within reasonable time. Emergent decompressive craniotomy or other neurosurgical interventions are the only appropriate treatment in these malignant forms of CVST to prevent mortality and severe morbidity.