Abstract WP412: Anticoagulant Therapy in Head Injury-associated Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis in Children

Abstract

Background - Head injury is a rare risk factor associated with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT). Literature concerning head injury-associated CSVT (HIA-CSVT) is scarce. There is emerging data to support the safety and efficacy of anti-coagulant therapy (ACT) in childhood CSVT. However, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), which is seen frequently in children with HIA-CSVT at diagnosis, makes initiation of ACT controversial due to the fear of extension of pre-existing ICH. boldMethods - We conducted a retrospective review of a consecutive cohort of children with HIA-CSVT from 1998-2009. Results - Seventeen patients (11 males, mean age 7-years) with HIA-CSVT were identified. Most [16/17 (94%)] had significant ICH at diagnosis. None received ACT at diagnosis. 12/17 (71%) were later treated with ACT due to CSVT persistence (8) and propagation (4) despite ICH in 11. None of the 12 treated patients, including the 11 with pre-existing ICH, had significant worsening of hemorrhage on ACT. Three (25%) of the 12 treated patients had minor extension of their hemorrhage; further ACT was withheld in these patients due to physician preference. No patient died on ACT. No patient experienced CSVT propagation on ACT. Neurological outcome was normal in 3/17 (18%), mildly abnormal in 9/17 (53%) and moderate-severely abnormal in 5/17 (29%). Due to small sample size, influence of ACT on clinical and recanalization outcome could not be measured. Conclusions - Anticoagulant therapy is safe in selected children with HIA-CSVT. Head injury is not an absolute contraindication to ACT in children with HIA-CSVT.