Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Involving the Vein of Labbé and Left Sigmoid Sinus in a Patient With Immune Thrombocytopenia Treated With Romiplostim: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an uncommon but potentially serious condition primarily affecting young women. Thrombosis of the vein of Labbé is a rare site of thrombosis linked to hemorrhagic venous infarction. Thrombotic events have been reported in patients with chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) treated with thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs). A 33-year-old woman with chronic ITP, treated with romiplostim for five years, presented with a progressively worsening occipital headache and a generalized seizure. Computed tomography showed a left parietotemporal intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging and venography confirmed left sigmoid sinus thrombosis and a hemorrhagic venous infarction caused by thrombosis of the vein of Labbé, along with signs indicating a previous superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Romiplostim was discontinued after the event, and anticoagulation, along with corticosteroids, was started due to a decline in platelet count. Common causes of cerebral venous thrombosis were investigated and ruled out. The patient was discharged asymptomatic on hospital day 12 and was seen for outpatient follow-up. This case highlights a rare presentation of Labbé vein thrombosis in the setting of long-term use of TPO-RAs and supports a possible association.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an uncommon but potentially serious condition primarily affecting young women. Thrombosis of the vein of Labbé is a rare site of thrombosis linked to hemorrhagic venous infarction.

Explore how this research connects to clinical practice

More peer-reviewed studies in Clinical Trials.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Wound healing potential of bark paste of Pongamia pinnata along with hirudotherapy: A case report — Balasooriya D, Karunarathna C, Uluwaduge I (2021)
• AIF-1 and RNASET2 Play Complementary Roles in the Innate Immune Response of Medicinal Leech — Baranzini N et al. (2019)
• Study on the effect of medicinal leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) on full-thickness excisional wound healing in the animal model — Zakian A et al. (2022)
• [Hirudo medicinalis-leech applications in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery--a literature review] — Knobloch K et al. (2007)
• The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis — Aminov R, Frolov A, Aminova A (2022)
• Recombinant hirudin in clinical practice: focus on lepirudin — Greinacher A, Lubenow N (2001)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →