Head and neck venous thrombosis secondary to pediatric otolaryngologic infection

Head and neck venous thrombosis is a rare but potentially devastating complication of childhood otolaryngologic infections. This study examines the presentation and management of this condition.

A retrospective chart review was performed on all pediatric patients with otolaryngologic infections complicated by cranial and cervical venous thrombosis at a tertiary children's hospital from 2007 to 2018. Patient demographics, presentation, site of infection, thrombosis location, implicated pathogen, length of hospital stay, need for surgery, and anticoagulant regimen were assessed.

This study included 33 patients (mean age, 7.5 years; age range, 0.8-17 years; 19 [58%] male). The most common infection source was otologic (n = 20), followed by ophthalmic and sinonasal pathology (n = 9), and neck infections (n = 4). The most common site of thrombosis secondary to ear pathology was the sigmoid sinus. The ophthalmic veins were the most common site of thrombosis for ophthalmic/sinonasal infections. Nine CN VI palsies, one CN VII palsy, and one CN III palsy were observed. Twenty-six subjects (79%) required surgical intervention. All those who experienced a nerve palsy required surgery. Length of hospitalization significantly differed with the stay for a neck infection complicated by thrombosis longer compared to otologic and sinonasal infections (F[2,30] = 7.08, p = 0.003). Length of hospital stay was significantly correlated with admission temperature (r = 0.506, p = 0.003) and CRP (r = 0.400, p = 0.03) but not WBC (r = 0.181, p = 0.31). Culture growth predominantly isolated a single causative organism rather than polymicrobial involvement. Forty-eight species were identified, most (n = 41/48, 85%) being Gram-positive bacteria. Alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus was the most common isolate from children with vessel thrombosis secondary to ear infections, with Streptococcus pyogenes predominant in sinonasal infections and Staphylococcus aureus the most common in neck abscesses. There was significant variability in anticoagulation management within the patient population, but no bleeding complications were documented. Most patients had no evidence of underlying thrombophilia (n = 15); for those with positive hypercoagulability screens, the most common positive marker was the presence of lupus inhibitor (n = 6).

Venous thrombosis resulting from adjacent otolaryngologic infection is a serious complication requiring proper recognition and management. The involved vasculature and cranial nerve findings are dependent on the anatomic location of the underlying infection. Cranial neuropathies in the presence of these infections should prompt evaluation for possible thrombosis.