Cerebral venous thrombosis: a rare presentation of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Abstract

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare type of acquired hemolytic anemia characterized by persistent intravascular hemolysis often associated with pancytopenia and a tendency to venous thrombosis. The classical presentation is passage of hypochromic urine in morning along with hemolytic anemia, bone marrow failure and thrombophilia, but presentation as cerebral venous thrombosis is very rare. Here we present a case of 20 year old female with headache, seizure and hemiparesis, subsequently diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) due to PNH.