CVST-IMAGING STUDY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) be used to predict outcome?
IRAS ID
217688
Contact name
Martin Punter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will assess if it is possible to predict those at risk of deterioration from complications of a rare type of stroke; Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) using clinical information and brain imaging. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare disease, accounting for less than 1% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot forms in the small channels between the skins covering the brain (venous sinuses) which prevent blood from draining out of the brain. Patient with CVST are at risk of deterioration e.g. bleeding into the brain (haemorrhage) or expansion of the existing blood clot (haematoma expansion). Another complication is the development of dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF). These are rare, abnormal connections between arteries and veins within the venous sinuses which cause blood to be diverted from normal paths and depriving areas of the brain with blood and oxygen. The ability to identify those at risk would lead to targeted treatments and improved recovery.
No new patients will be recruited into the study. The research team (doctors who specialise in care, diagnosis and treatment of patients with CVST) will look back at the imaging of all patients seen at Greater Manchester Neuroscience Service since 2010 who had a diagnosis of CVST. The research team will investigate the frequency of ‘spot sign’ on brain imaging. Spot sign are single or multiple tiny areas within a blood clot which appear brighter on brain imaging. There is evidence to suggest spot sign may be used to predict the risk of haematoma expansion but it has not been investigated in CVST. The research team will also use clinical and radiological factors to assess if it is possible to predictive other complications after CVST.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0100
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion