Sinus pericranii in the upper eyelid: diagnosis and management guidelines

Sinus pericranii (SP) is a rare malformation involving aberrant connections between the dural venous sinuses and extracranial veins. Classically considered congenital pathology, there are reported instances of post-traumatic SP in adults. Very rarely, the upper eyelid is involved and the resulting ptosis can obstruct the visual axis. In these cases, surgical removal may be warranted. Because of the high risk of massive intraoperative hemorrhage, careful preoperative identification and diagnostic workup is essential. The authors report a patient with new onset, asymmetric eyelid ptosis referred for evaluation, and subsequently diagnosed with SP. Through a multi-disciplinary assessment, deferring surgical intervention was determined to be appropriate management. The lesion was monitored clinically, and at 6 months follow-up, there were no noted adverse outcomes.