sagittal sinus thrombosis

Last reviewed 05/2021

The superior sagittal sinus, draining the upper part of the cerebral hemispheres, is affected by thrombosis, usually as an extension of cortical vein thrombosis.

It can present with the usual features of raised intracranial pressure, such as headache and vomiting in adults and a tense fontanelle in infants. Due to diminished blood supply to the upper part of the hemispheres, another presentation is that of paraplegia.