Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: An Unusual Cause of Complex Ophthalmoplegia in an Elderly Man

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a neurological condition occurring because of thrombosis involving the cerebral venous sinuses. This case report is an unusual clinical manifestation of cerebral venous thrombosis in a 76-year-old Chinese man who presented with restricted eye movement and double vision. Despite extensive investigation, there was no better explanation for his clinical symptom and sign apart from cerebral venous thrombosis which was confirmed by magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the brain. Once cerebral venous thrombosis was diagnosed, he was initiated on anticoagulation and discharged with oral warfarin. This case emphasizes the need to consider cerebral venous thrombosis as one of the rare causes of complex ophthalmoplegia especially when typical cardiovascular risk factors are lacking in an individual.