Transvenous sclerotherapy of a large symptomatic orbital venous varix using a microcatheter balloon and bleomycin

Thrombosed orbital varix of the inferior ophthalmic vein: A rare cause of acute unilateral proptosis

Background

Orbital varices are rare, accounting for only 0-1.3% of orbital masses. They can be found incidentally or cause mild to serious sequelae, including hemorrhage and optic nerve compression.

Case Description

We report a case of a 74-year-old male with progressively painful unilateral proptosis. Imaging revealed the presence of an orbital mass compatible with a thrombosed orbital varix of the inferior ophthalmic vein in the left inferior intraconal space. The patient was medically managed. On a follow-up outpatient clinic visit, he demonstrated remarkable clinical recovery and denied experiencing any symptoms. Follow-up computed tomography scan showed a stable mass with decreased proptosis in the left orbit consistent with the previously diagnosed orbital varix. One-year follow-up orbital magnetic resonance imaging without contrast showed slight increase in the intraconal mass.

Conclusion

An orbital varix may present with mild to severe symptoms and management, depending on case severity, ranges from medical treatment to escalated surgical innervation. Our case is one of few progressive unilateral proptosis caused by a thrombosed varix of the inferior ophthalmic vein described in the literature. We encourage further investigation into the causes and epidemiology of orbital varices.

Thrombosed orbital varix with mild, spontaneously resolving symptoms

Orbital varices are abnormally enlarged, thin walled veins in direct connection with normal orbital vessels. Stooping, bending, coughing or straining increase the venous tension and in this way can cause symptoms, such as bulging of the eyes (proptosis), orbital pain, bleeding, intermittent double vision. Small varices are managed by observation while larger lesions may require surgery. In our case report we demonstrate the case of a 72-year-old female patient with right sided retro-orbital pressure sensation for weeks, and exophthalmos with blurred vision for 1 week. MR investigation proved the presence of a partially thrombosed orbital varix on the right side, and a smaller, non-thrombosed varix on the left side. Observation was agreed, and the symptoms resolved spontaneously after several weeks.