SEROUS CHOROIDAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SUSPECTED CONTRALATERAL CAVERNOUS SINUS THROMBOSIS

To describe a case of choroidal detachment secondary to cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Case report.

A 73-year-old man with a history of primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudophakia presented with retrobulbar pain, blurred vision, and diplopia of the right eye. Examination revealed severe nonhemorrhagic bullous chemosis, tortuous retinal vessels, and elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye. Although computed tomography venography findings initially raised suspicion of a carotid-cavernous fistula, the diagnostic angiogram showed no such evidence, instead raising concern for cavernous sinus thrombosis. Dilated fundus examination and magnetic resonance imaging were notable for multiple serous choroidal detachments in the right eye, which resolved with systemic management of cavernous sinus thrombosis and topical steroids.

The possibility of choroidal detachment during the clinical course of a cavernous sinus thrombosis should be recognized. Cavernous sinus thrombosis may be related to impaired venous drainage that forces transudate into perivascular spaces and results in choroidal effusion.