CVT represents 1-2% of strokes in adults. Mortality rates ranges between 5-30%, with several studies showing mortality rate of up to 50% in untreated patients. 

CVT involves thrombosis in dural venous sinuses, cortical veins or deep cerebral veins. The poor outflow leads to congestion and blood–brain barrier disruption resulting with vasogenic edema.  Almost 50% of cases will also develop parenchymal hemorrhage due to rapid rise of venous pressure leading also to cytotoxic edema and infarction.

It is much more prevalent in young adults, particularly among women of childbearing age. Risk factors are in relation to prothrombotic conditions, which can be genetic or acquired like pregnancy, malignancy, trauma, and oral contraceptive use, with women, being more commonly affected (up to 5 times more than men). CVT in the postoperative neurologic surgery setting is more common in the elderly population.

CVT should be considered in patients presenting with a broad range of neurological presentations especially in the presence of new onset of seizures. Thunderclap and migraine-type headaches or focal neurological deficit are among the most common ones.