Morbidity occurs when a thrombus occludes a major dural sinus or cortical vein.
This leads to impairment of the venous drainage of the brain, which may result in focal or diffuse cerebral edema and cortical venous infarcts that are often hemorrhagic. Presentation may include nonspecific symptoms such as headache, seizures, and nausea, as well as focal neurologic complaints. Therefore, the diagnosis is often clinically overlooked. The availability of successful treatment for DST has increased the need for prompt and accurate diagnosis.