Case Report: Papilledema Secondary to Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis after Severe COVID-19 Infection

This case highlights ocular adverse effects of a rare, potentially life-threatening complication from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Papilledema can occur because of increased intracranial pressure caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, the incidence of which may be more likely in patients with a history of COVID-19 because of an induced hypercoagulable state.

This case report presents a case of papilledema secondary to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient with a recent history of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A 29-year-old man hospitalized with a complicated course of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was referred to the ophthalmology department for episodic blurry vision of both eyes and intermittent binocular diplopia. Clinical examination revealed diffuse bilateral optic disc edema. Magnetic resonance venography of the brain during his admission revealed subtotal occlusion of the right transverse sinus by thrombosis. At the time of diagnosis, the patient was already taking systemic anticoagulation therapy for treatment of a recent pulmonary embolism also thought to be induced by COVID-19. After additional treatment with acetazolamide, there was improvement in his optic nerve edema.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, can occur as a rare complication of COVID-19. In such cases, patients may develop increased intracranial pressure, papilledema, and subsequent vision loss. Magnetic resonance venography should be ordered in patients with suspected papilledema to help rule out the presence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.