Isolated cortical vein thrombosis is rare and represents 1% of cerebral infarctions. It occurs with occlusion of one or more of the cerebral cortical veins without occlusion of the major dural venous sinuses.

The thrombosed cortical vein might be seen on a non-contrast CT/MR scan.

Parenchymal hemorrhagic venous infarction, parenchymal hematoma, parenchymal edema (venous congestion), or subarachnoid hemorrhage might be seen at the parenchymal areas drained by the thrombosed cortical vein.