Papilledema due to cerebral venous thrombosis in obstructive sleep apnea

• Main Authors: Revati Ramesh, Sneha Raju, Freddy T Simon, Gigy V Kuruttukulam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Cerebral venous thrombosis; continuous positive airway pressure; obstructive sleep apnea; papilledema
• Online Access: http://www.kjophthal.com/article.asp?issn=0976-6677;year=2019;volume=31;issue=1;spage=57;epage=59;aulast=Ramesh

A 59-year-old male presented with episodic headaches and blurring vision, and papilledema (PE) on examination. He had been advised continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and an apneic–hypopneic index of 21 but had not commenced the treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal, but a contrast examination was not done. Magnetic resonance venography performed to assess the PE, revealed cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) affecting the superior sagittal, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses. Oral anticoagulants and CPAP resulted in a speedy reversal of both PE and CVT. CVT may complicate OSA and require identification and treatment. Contrast studies are crucial in the evaluation.