Polycythemia

Case contributed by Foroogh Jafari Mousavi
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

New onset dysarthria. Background of polcythemia.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male
ct

Hyperdense cerebral arteries and dural venous sinuses (around 70 HU). Appearance of sulci, ventricles and cisterns normal for patient's age. Small vessel ischemic changes. Lacunar infarcts in right thalamus, basal ganglia and insula.

Case Discussion

The cerebral arteries and dural venous sinuses are markedly hyperdense in this non-contrast study due to polycythemia rubra vera. Not to be mistaken for extensive dural sinus thrombosis. The patient had a hemoglobin level of 22 g/dl.

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