pathogenesis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The thrombosed venous sinus bears a loose, red clot initially which with time becomes pale and adherent to the vessel walls. If there is an infective aetiology, the clot may itself become colonised, and this infection can spread locally to the leptomeninges or to an abscess, or systemically via septic emboli.

The territory of the affected sinus shows congestive oedema and even haemorrhagic venous infarction.