Hemorrhagic infarction due to transverse sinus thrombosis mimicking cerebral abscesses

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is an uncommon condition which remains a diagnostic challenge for the clinician and radiologist. The wide spectrum of clinical and radiological manifestations can result in delayed or misdiagnosis. The authors present the case of a 50-year-old woman with headaches following an episode of mastoiditis. CT imaging revealed temporal ring-enhancing lesions which were thought to represent cerebral abscess formation and the patient proceeded to image-guided aspiration. MR venography, biopsy and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hemorrhagic infarction secondary to transverse sinus thrombosis.