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What is the prognosis of a clot in the brain?

Dr SK Pandya
Neurosurgeon,
Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai

Q: My friend who is 38 years old was complaining of severe headache and numbness in the right side since last Sunday. He underwent a brain CT scan yesterday which showed a clot. The final CT report is awaited. The doctor said that he has deep sinus vein thrombosis. His speech and comprehension is altered. There is loss of sensation on the right side. I wanted to know what the prognosis of such cases are.

A:I presume the clotting of blood in the veins that drain the brain involves the left half of the forebrain or cerebrum. Much will depend on the extent of permanent damage done to the brain by the clot and by the interference with drainage of blood from it. If the permanent damage be small and most of the present abnormality be due to compression or swelling, he should make a fair recovery.It is important to determine, if possible, why the blood clotted in the sinus. If the cause can be uncovered, steps can be taken to prevent recurrence of the thrombosis.