Juliet Cohen

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Information

Venous thrombosis may occur with headache and cranial nerve palsies.

Cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) is a rare and diverse entity. It often affects young-to-middle-aged patients, and more commonly women. Thrombosis of the venous channels in the brain is an uncommon cause of cerebral infarction relative to arterial disease but is an important consideration because of its potential morbidity.  There are various causes of CVT, such as a head injury, an infection, and certain drugs, to name a few. The headache may be the only symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis. Many patients have symptoms of stroke: inability to move one or more limbs, weakness on one side of the face or difficulty speaking. They do not necessarily affect one side of the body as in stroke.

40% of all patients have seizures (more in women before and after birth) , mostly focal but often generalised and sometimes leading to status epilepticus. Treatments can include anticoagulants (bloodthinners), steroids, vitamins, and vasodilators (drugs to widen the blood vessels). Seizures should be treated with appropriate anticonvulsants. Fosphenytoin is recommended for treatment of seizures in those patients who require a parenteral formulation. Alternatively, phenobarbital or sodium valproate injection may be utilized if the patient has allergy to phenytoin. Diazepam or lorazepam may be used to treat status epilepticus. Thrombolytic therapy has been described in several case reports as beneficial in cases of CVT. Surgical treatment (optic nerve sheath fenestration or shunting) is recommended.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Treatment and Prevntion Tips

1. Surgical is also recommended treatment.

2. Anticonvulsants drugs to prevent recurrent seizures.

3. Thrombolytic therapy has been also beneficial in cases of CVT.

4. Fosphenytoin is recommended for treatment of seizures

5. Diazepam or lorazepam may be used to treat status epilepticus.

Article Tags: Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, Cerebral Venous, Venous Thrombosis, Status Epilepticus

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