Subtle imaging signs of sigmoid sinus thrombosis in otitis media ("otitic hydrocephalus")

Alejandra M Maiz; Emily Chang; Tatiana K Deveney; John Kim; Jonathan D Trobe

doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.041

Subtle imaging signs of sigmoid sinus thrombosis in otitis media ("otitic hydrocephalus")

Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Jun 28;18(9):3188-3191. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.06.041. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Alejandra M Maiz¹, Emily Chang¹, Tatiana K Deveney¹, John Kim², Jonathan D Trobe^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
² Department of Radiology (Neuroradiology), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
³ Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
⁴ Kellogg Eye Center, 1000 Wall St, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.

Abstract

A 3-year-old boy developed otitis media, mastoiditis, papilledema, sixth nerve palsy, and increased intracranial pressure. The initial diagnosis was idiopathic intracranial hypertension, but doubt about that diagnosis at such a young age led to imaging reevaluation. When the abnormalities from multiple pulse sequences were aggregated with this clinical input, the correct diagnosis of otitic hydrocephalus emerged, allowing prompt implementation of appropriate treatment to avoid the risk of venous stroke.

Keywords: Dural venous sinus thrombosis; Mastoiditis; Otitic hydrocephalus; Papilledema.

Publication types

Case Reports