Norethisterone induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST): a rare case report and review of literature

The association between the progestin only pill used for treatment of menstrual disorders and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has rarely been reported in the literature. This report describes a case of cerebral venous thrombosis following intake of norethisterone for menorrhagia secondary to polycystic ovary syndrome in a young woman with undiagnosed underlying hyperhomocysteinemia. A 24 year old married woman presented with acute onset of headache, vomiting and right focal seizures. MRI Cerebral venogram and CT Brain revealed thrombosed anterosuperior segment of superior sagittal sinus and haemorrhagic infarct in right frontoparietal region. The risk factors were acquired hyperhomocysteinemia, polycystic ovary syndrome and norethisterone for menorrhagia. The patient was treated with low molecular weight heparin, followed by warfarin, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folic acid. She made a total recovery. Although venous thrombosis is usually linked to the ingestion of estrogen, rather than progestogen, this case illustrates that patients who are prescribed progestogen only pills for gynaecological disorders may develop thrombosis, especially if they have predisposing metabolic disorders. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2014; 3(1.000): 231-235]