Superior Ophthalmic Vein Thrombosis Induced by Orbital Cellulitis: An Ophthalmic Emergency

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 13; no. 10
• Main Authors: Chen, Lu, Guo, Uta S, Grutman, Gennadiy, McFarlane, Samy I., Mehta, Parag
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto Cureus Inc 25-10-2021; Cureus
• Subjects: Abscesses; Antibiotics; Bacteria; Case reports; Cellulitis; Diplopia; Edema; Emergency medical care; Erythema; Eye movements; Fatalities; Internal Medicine; Laboratories; Medical Education; Ophthalmology; Optic nerve; Pain; Patients; Primary care; Rare diseases; Sinuses; Sinusitis; Staphylococcus infections; Thrombosis; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19038

Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis (SOVT) is a rare ophthalmologic emergency. The most common etiologies include infection, trauma, inflammation, and malignancy, as well as thyroid-related orbitopathy. Early identification and timely intervention can lead to a significant decrease in complications that include cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST), vision loss, and death. This rare disease entity almost always makes its initial presentation to internal medicine or emergency medicine (EM) physicians. In this report, we present a case of SOVT that presented overnight to the emergency department for worsening right facial swelling and orbital pain. We discuss our experience with the evaluation and management of SOVT and provide a review of the currently available literature to emphasize the importance of obtaining a full history and physical examination, seeking early imaging studies, and ophthalmology consultation for patients with suspected SOVT.