treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

The treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis entails consideration of the underlying aetiology:

  • primary thrombosis - anticoagulants with adequate attention given to the risk of haemorrhage
    • people diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (including those with secondary cerebral haemorrhage) should be given full-dose anticoagulation treatment (initially full-dose heparin and then warfarin [INR 2–3]) unless there are comorbidities that preclude its use (1)

  • secondary thrombosis:
    • antibiotics if infectious
    • anticonvulsants
    • surgical drainage of sinuses if these are the source of infection
    • mastoidectomy may be indicated if the cause was an acute mastoiditis
    • anticoagulants are unlikely to be required
    • high dose dexamethasone to reduce cerebral oedema

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