Neurobrucellosis and venous sinus thrombosis: an uncommon association

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Joana Isabel da Silva Lima, Cátia Filipa Gomes Canelas, Andreia Sofia de Sousa Botelho Trindade Veiga, Dina Maria Mota Carvalho
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2016
• Subjects: Brucellosis; Sinus thrombosis; Intracranial; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0288-2015; https://doaj.org/article/aacbc6c7748f4de9ad59b97a2987334d

Abstract: Brucellosis is a commonly diagnosed zoonosis and neurological involvement is rare. A 30-year-old woman presented with a pulsatile headache that was exacerbated by the Valsalva maneuver and refractory to analgesic therapy. The patient also had nausea, cough, and coryza that evolved over 7 days. The neurological examination was unremarkable. Thrombosis of the lateral and sigmoid sinus and ipsilateral internal jugular vein were diagnosed and anticoagulation therapy was started. Brucella spp was identified in a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); five months after treatment with rifampicin and doxycycline, CSF was sterile. Cerebral venous thrombosis is a very uncommon sign of brucellosis.