Abstract Background and aims Parenchymal lesions occur in 34–60% of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and are associated with poorer outcomes. Few studies have compared the laboratory characteristics of CVT patients with and without such lesions. The aim was to compare the laboratory parameters of CVT patients with and without parenchymal lesions. Methods This retrospective study included all patients with confirmed CVT who were evaluated in a tertiary neurology center between 2008 and 2025. Data were extracted from their medical recordings. Lumbar puncture was performed when brain infection was suspected. Patients were grouped based on the presence of parenchymal lesions on neuroimaging. Group comparisons were performed using standard bivariate statistical tests. Results Among 83 patients who underwent neuroimaging, 37 (44%) had no parenchymal lesions and 44 patients (47,6%) were female. Mean age was 50,8±17,4 years, with no group difference. Among patients who underwent lumbar puncture (42,9%), those with parenchymal lesions had lower CSF glucose levels (3,6vs.2,36mmol/L; p=0,03), with no differences in CSF protein or cell count. Patients with parenchymal lesions also had higher serum inflammatory markers, including leukocyte count (11,48vs.9,46×109/L; p=0,018), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR: 5,93vs.3,88; p=0,0018) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR: 194,0vs.131,8; p=0,0049). No significant differences were observed for haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelet count, ESR, C-reactive protein, INR or prothrombin time. Conclusions Patients with parenchymal lesions had higher serum inflammatory markers (leukocyte level, NLR and PLR) whilst ESR and C-reactive protein were similar between groups. CSF glucose levels were lower in the parenchymal-lesion group, requiring further investigation. Conflict of interest Catalina Gutu: nothing to disclose
Gutu et al. (2026) studied this question.