Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Facial vein thrombophlebitis: an uncommon complication of sinusitis

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Facial vein thrombophlebitis is an uncommon complication of sinusitis. In cases where periorbital swelling complicating sinusitis is diagnosed, clinical findings of swelling and erythema extending beyond the orbital region into the cheek should alert the physician about this unusual complication and the need for further contrast-enhanced imaging and venography. The radiologist must be particularly careful in the evaluation of vascular structures of the face and neck in these children. CT and MRI with contrast material and MR venography are studies that clearly demonstrate the vascular anatomy and possible complications. However, MR venography confirms flow abnormalities within the venous system with the advantage of avoiding radiation exposure to the pediatric patient.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fanella S, Singer A, Embree J (2011) Presentation and management of pediatric orbital cellulitis. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 22:97–100

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ryan JT, Preciado DA, Bauman N et al (2009) Management of pediatric orbital cellulitis in patients with radiographic findings of subperiosteal abscess. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 140:907–911

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Goldenberg D, Karam M, Netzer A et al (2000) Facial vein thrombophlebitis: a rare but potentially lethal entity. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 122:769–771

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Iizuka T, Nagaya K, Sasaki D et al (2012) Atypical Lemierre syndrome, thrombophlebitis of the facial vein. Am J Emerg Med 31:460e1–460e3

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang J, Stringer MD (2010) Ophthalmic and facial veins are not valveless. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 38:502–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Karmazyn B, Coley BD, Dempsey-Robertson ME et al (2012) ACR appropriateness criteria® sinusitis-child. American College of Radiology. http://www.acr.org/~/media/485aeec108e941c6b5551a8d21017eed.pdf. Accessed 27 May 2014

  7. Ridgway JM, Parikh DA, Wright R et al (2010) Lemierre syndrome: a pediatric case series and review of literature. Am J Otolaryngol 31:38–45

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Severino M, Liyanage S, Novelli V et al (2012) Skull base osteomyelitis and potential cerebrovascular complications in children. Pediatr Radiol 42:867–874

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflicts of interest

None

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX, 77555-0709, USA

    Claudia Cotes

  2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, USA

    Roy Riascos

  3. Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Radiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-0709, USA

    Leonard E. Swischuk

Authors
  1. Claudia Cotes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roy Riascos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Leonard E. Swischuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Claudia Cotes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cotes, C., Riascos, R. & Swischuk, L.E. Facial vein thrombophlebitis: an uncommon complication of sinusitis. Pediatr Radiol 45, 1244–1248 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-3272-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-3272-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation