Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis: A rare complication of Graves’ orbitopathy

Abstract

Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis is a rare, life- and sight-threatening complication of both infectious and inflammatory orbital disease as well as hypercoagulable state. Only one case of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis due to thyroid eye disease has been reported in the literature. This article describes the diagnosis and management of a case of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis due to Graves' orbitopathy. Early diagnosis is critical to facilitate timely therapeutic intervention. Superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute on chronic proptosis in the setting of Graves' orbitopathy, and may represent and under-recognized and under-diagnosed clinical entity.

Isolated superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis

“…The estimated incidence of SOV thrombosis is 3–4 cases per million population per year 1 . SOV thrombosis has previously been associated with intraorbital/periorbital inflammatory/infective states, hypercoagulable states, carotid cavernous fistula and thyroid eye disease 2–5 . In isolated cases without other venous thrombosis, it has primarily been described in the context of Graves disease 3,4 .…”

Superior Ophthalmic Vein Thrombosis with Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Rare Entity in a Child

“…10,11 Some systemic diseases have been reported in association with SOVT like systemic lupus erythematosus, Graves disease, ulcerative colitis etc. [12][13][14][15][16] Other causes are hematologic like antiphospholipid syndrome, sickle cell disease, hormonal causes like tamoxifen, oral contraceptive pills etc, Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, idiopathic orbital inflammatory disease. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In a case series by Nicolien et al 3 the majority of the patients were aseptic (seven out of nine) although all the patients in this case series were adults.…”

Impact of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis: a case series and literature review

“…[6][7][8] Systemic diseases reporting SOVT in literature include Graves' Orbitopathy, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ulcerative colitis. [9][10][11][12][13] Hematologic aetiologies include antiphospholipid syndrome and sickle trait. [14][15][16][17] Also, hormone therapies have been reported as a cause for SOVT (e.g.…”