title: Spontaneous superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis: a rare entity with potentially devastating consequences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Spontaneous superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis (SOVT) is a rare entity. We describe three patients with spontaneous ophthalmic vein thrombosis, each with various risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of three patients with a diagnosis of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. Clinical characteristics, radiographic features, management techniques and outcomes are described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients presented with unilateral painful proptosis. Two patients had intact light perception, whereas one patient presented with absent light perception. All patients had identifiable risk factors for thrombosis, which included sickle cell trait, hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia and colon cancer with recurrent deep vein thrombosis. Anticoagulation was initiated in two patients. Resolution of proptosis was seen in all patients, with no recovery of vision in one patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risk factors for spontaneous superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis are multifactorial. MRI and MRV confirm the diagnosis of SOVT. Despite urgent intervention devastating visual loss may occur.
authors.affiliation: 1] Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA [2] Oculoplastic Service, Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Scawn
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Whipple
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Oculoplastic, Facial Cosmetic and Orbital Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lucarelli
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Korn
authors.affiliation: Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Kikkawa
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000175:diagnosis; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D058447:Eye Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications; D013683:Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014680:Veins; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D014859:Warfarin