Hypereosinophilia with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and intracerebral hemorrhage: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Hypereosinophilia (HE) is defined as a peripheral blood eosinophil count of > 1.5 × 10(9)/L and may be associated with tissue damage. The clinical presentations of HE vary; however, myocardial fibrosis and thrombosis can threaten the lives of patients with sustained eosinophilia. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in the setting of eosinophil-related diseases has seldom been reported. Here, we review the literature on HE with CVST to increase knowledge and encourage early diagnosis. CASE SUMMARY: A previously healthy 41-year-old man was admitted to hospital with diarrhea and abdominal pain. He was treated with antibiotics for suspected acute colitis. Three days later, he experienced headache and vomiting. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed thrombosis of the left jugular vein to the left transverse sinus vein. Platelet (PLT) count decreased to 60 × 10(12)/L, and absolute eosinophil count (AEC) increased to 2.41 × 10(9)/L. He was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin. PLT count progressively decreased to 14 × 10(9)/L, and we terminated anticoagulation and performed PLT transfusion. Six days after admission, he complained of a worsening headache. Brain CT revealed right temporal lobe and left centrum semiovale intracerebral hemorrhage, and AEC increased to 7.65 × 10(9)/L. We used prednisolone for HE. The level of consciousness decreased, so emergency hematoma removal and decompressive craniectomy for right cerebral hemorrhage were performed. The patient was alert 2 d after surgery. He was treated with anticoagulation again 2 wk after surgery. Corticosteroids were gradually tapered without any symptomatic recurrence or abnormal laboratory findings. CONCLUSION: HE can induce CVST, and we need to focus on eosinophil counts in patients with CVST.