Superficial siderosis of the central nervous system due to bilateral jugular vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel cause of meningeal siderosis due to intermittent subarachnoid bleeding caused by chronic bilateral jugular vein thrombosis.

DESIGN: Case report and review of literature.

PATIENT: A 51-year-old man with a distant history of cervical injury who presented with transient aphasia in the setting of progressive cognitive decline.

INTERVENTION: Neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, and angiogram.

RESULTS: The patient had intermittent subarachnoid bleeding resulting from extensive venous collaterals in the neck and cervical spine due to chronic bilateral jugular vein thrombosis.

CONCLUSION: Unexplained neurological deterioration and history of cervical trauma warrants diagnostic consideration of superficial siderosis and jugular vein thrombosis.