Superior Ophthalmic Vein Thrombosis with Complete Loss of Vision as a Complication of Autoimmune and Infective Conditions

Abstract

SOVT is a rare entity. There are no guidelines, just recommendations for disease management. Based on our experience, broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic, anticoagulation, and steroid therapy should be promptly introduced and if needed surgical intervention. SOVT can lead to devastating complications which include permanent loss of vision and in some cases a fatal outcome.

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

“…In literature, paranasal sinusitis is the most common cause of septic SOVT. 13,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33] In our series, the majority of cases were aseptic (77.8%). This corresponds to the literature, where we also found more aseptic SOVT (66.7%).…”

“…[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.…”

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.…”

Unilateral isolated superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis

“…[ 1 ] The etiology of SOVT can be broadly categorized as septic and aseptic. [ 1 2 3 4 5 ] Septic causes include infectious diseases such as orbital cellulitis, paranasal sinusitis, and septic cavernous sinus thrombosis with the extension of the thrombus into the SOV, whereas aseptic causes include spontaneous thrombosis of the dural cavernous fistula, tumors of the cavernous sinus or the orbit, and Tolosa–Hunt syndrome. [ 1 2 3 ]…”

“…[ 1 2 3 4 ] SOV thrombosis (SOVT) is generally secondary to orbital inflammations and infections, tumoral compression or infiltration, and direct or indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). [ 1 2 3 4 ] It may present with a sudden onset of painful proptosis, chemosis, conjunctival congestion, and visual disturbance and can be detected using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. [ 1 3 ] Early diagnosis and appropriate management strategies must be based on the underlying causative factors to prevent visual loss and other complications.…”