Thanks to neuro-icu.com for highlighting this one: The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have produced guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis. Here is a summary of their recommendations. The full text of the guidelines is available via the link at the bottom.
Routine Blood Work

• In patients with suspected CVT, routine blood studies consisting of a complete blood count, chemistry panel, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time should be performed (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• Screening for potential prothrombotic conditions that may predispose a person to CVT (eg, use of contraceptives, underlying inflammatory disease, infectious process) is recommended in the initial clinical assessment (specific recommendations for testing for thrombophilia are found in the long-term management section of this document) (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• A normal D-dimer level according to a sensitive immunoassay or rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) may be considered to help identify patients with low probability of CVT (Class IIb; Level of Evidence B). If there is a strong clinical suspicion of CVT, a normal D-dimer level should not preclude further evaluation.

Common Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of CVT

• In patients with lobar ICH of otherwise unclear origin or with cerebral infarction that crosses typical arterial boundaries, imaging of the cerebral venous system should be performed (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with the clinical features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, imaging of the cerebral venous system is recommended to exclude CVT (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with headache associated with atypical features, imaging of the cerebral venous system is reasonable to exclude CVT (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).

Imaging in the Diagnosis of CVT

• Although a plain CT or MRI is useful in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected CVT, a negative plain CT or MRI does not rule out CVT. A venographic study (either CTV or MRV) should be performed in suspected CVT if the plain CT or MRI is negative or to define the extent of CVT if the plain CT or MRI suggests CVT (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• An early follow-up CTV or MRV is recommended in CVT patients with persistent or evolving symptoms despite medical treatment or with symptoms suggestive of propagation of thrombus (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with previous CVT who present with recurrent symptoms suggestive of CVT, repeat CTV or MRV is recommended (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• Gradient echo T2 susceptibility-weighted images combined with magnetic resonance can be useful to improve the accuracy of CVT diagnosis (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B).
• Catheter cerebral angiography can be useful in patients with inconclusive CTV or MRV in whom a clinical suspicion for CVT remains high (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• A follow-up CTV or MRV at 3 to 6 months after diagnosis is reasonable to assess for recanalization of the occluded cortical vein/sinuses in stable patients (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).

Management and Treatment

• Patients with CVT and a suspected bacterial infection should receive appropriate antibiotics and surgical drainage of purulent collections of infectious sources associated with CVT when appropriate (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with CVT and increased intracranial pressure, monitoring for progressive visual loss is recommended, and when this is observed, increased intracranial pressure should be treated urgently (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with CVT and a single seizure with parenchymal lesions, early initiation of antiepileptic drugs for a defined duration is recommended to prevent further seizures (Class I; Level of Evidence B).
• In patients with CVT and a single seizure without parenchymal lesions, early initiation of antiepileptic drugs for a defined duration is probably recommended to prevent further seizures (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• In the absence of seizures, the routine use of antiepileptic drugs in patients with CVT is not recommended (Class III; Level of Evidence C).
• For patients with CVT, initial anticoagulation with adjusted-dose UFH or weight-based LMWH in full anticoagulant doses is reasonable, followed by vitamin K antagonists, regardless of the presence of ICH (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B).
• Admission to a stroke unit is reasonable for treatment and for prevention of clinical complications of patients with CVT (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with CVT and increased intracranial pressure, it is reasonable to initiate treatment with acetazolamide. Other therapies (lumbar puncture, optic nerve decompression, or shunts) can be effective if there is progressive visual loss. (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• Endovascular intervention may be considered if deterioration occurs despite intensive anticoagulation treatment (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C). In patients with neurological deterioration due to severe mass effect or intracranial hemorrhage causing intractable intracranial hypertension, decompressive hemicraniectomy may be considered (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• For patients with CVT, steroid medications are not recommended, even in the presence of parenchymal brain lesions on CT/MRI, unless needed for another underlying disease (Class III; Level of Evidence B).

Long-Term Management and Recurrence of CVT

• Testing for prothrombotic conditions, including protein C, protein S, antithrombin deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome, prothrombin G20210A mutation, and factor V Leiden, can be beneficial for the management of patients with CVT. Testing for protein C, protein S, and antithrombin deficiency is generally indicated 2 to 4 weeks after completion of anticoagulation. There is a very limited value of testing in the acute setting or in patients taking warfarin. (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B).
• In patients with provoked CVT (associated with a transient risk factor), vitamin K antagonists may be continued for 3 to 6 months, with a target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 (Table 3) (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• In patients with unprovoked CVT, vitamin K antagonists may be continued for 6 to 12 months, with a target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• For patients with recurrent CVT, VTE after CVT, or first CVT with severe thrombophilia (ie, homozygous prothrombin G20210A; homozygous factor V Leiden; deficiencies of protein C, protein S, or antithrombin; combined thrombophilia defects; or antiphospholipid syndrome), indefinite anticoagulation may be considered, with a target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• Consultation with a physician with expertise in thrombosis may be considered to assist in the pro- thrombotic testing and care of patients with CVT (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).

Management of Late Complications (Other Than Recurrent VTE)

• In patients with a history of CVT who complain of new, persisting, or severe headache, evaluation for CVT recurrence and intracranial hypertension should be considered (Class I; Level of Evidence C)

CVT in pregnancy

• For women with CVT during pregnancy, LMWH in full anticoagulant doses should be continued throughout pregnancy, and LMWH or vitamin K antagonist with a target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 should be continued for at least 6 weeks postpartum (for a total minimum duration of therapy of 6 months) (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• It is reasonable to advise women with a history of CVT that future pregnancy is not contraindicated. Further investigations regarding the underlying cause and a formal consultation with a hematologist and/or maternal fetal medicine specialist are reasonable. (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B).
• It is reasonable to treat acute CVT during pregnancy with full-dose LMWH rather than UFH (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• For women with a history of CVT, prophylaxis with LMWH during future pregnancies and the postpartum period is probably recommended (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).

Children

• Supportive measures for children with CVT should include appropriate hydration, control of epileptic seizures, and treatment of elevated intracranial pressure (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• Given the potential for visual loss owing to severe or long-standing increased intracranial pressure in children with CVT, periodic assessments of the visual fields and visual acuity should be performed, and appropriate measures to control elevated intracranial pressure and its complications should be instituted (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In all pediatric patients, if initial anticoagulation treatment is withheld, repeat neuroimaging including venous imaging in the first week after diagnosis is recommended to monitor for propagation of the initial thrombus or new infarcts or hemorrhage (Class I; Level of Evidence C).
• In children with acute CVT diagnosed beyond the first 28 days of life, it is reasonable to treat with full-dose LMWH even in the presence of intracra- nial hemorrhage (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• In children with acute CVT diagnosed beyond the first 28 days of life, it is reasonable to continue LMWH or oral vitamin K antagonists for 3 to 6 months (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• In all pediatric patients with acute CVT, if initial anticoagulation is started, it is reasonable to perform a head CT or MRI scan in the initial week after treatment to monitor for additional hemor- rhage (Class IIa; Level of Evidence C).
• Children with CVT may benefit from thrombophilia testing to identify underlying coagulation defects, some of which could affect the risk of subsequent rethromboses and influence therapeutic decisions (Class IIb; Level of Evidence B).
• Children with CVT may benefit from investigation for underlying infections with blood cultures and sinus radiographs (Class IIb; Level of Evidence B).
• In neonates with acute CVT, treatment with LMWH or UFH may be considered (Class IIb; Level of Evidence B).
• Given the frequency of epileptic seizures in children with an acute CVT, continuous electroencephalography monitoring may be considered for individuals who are unconscious or mechanically ventilated (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• In neonates with acute CVT, continuation of LMWH for 6 weeks to 3 months may be considered (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).
• The usefulness and safety of endovascular intervention are uncertain in pediatric patients, and its use may only be considered in carefully selected patients with progressive neurological deterioration despite intensive and therapeutic levels of anticoagulant treatment (Class IIb; Level of Evidence C).

Diagnosis and Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
Stroke. 2011 Feb 3. [Epub ahead of print] Full Text