Does the superior ophthalmic vein dilate in acute intracranial hypertension due to hemorrhagic stroke?

Abstract

A 65-year-old man presented with coma. The cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive hematoma in the left cerebral hemisphere, accompanied by intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and ventriculomegaly. Contrast examination revealed ectatic superior ophthalmic veins (SOVs). The patient underwent emergent hematoma evacuation. Contrast CT performed on postoperative day (POD) 2 showed a remarkable reduction in the diameters of both SOVs. A second patient, a 53-year-old man, presented with consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis. CT revealed a large hematoma in the left thalamus, accompanied by massive IVH. Contrast CT demonstrated the bold delineation of the SOVs. The patient underwent endoscopic IVH removal. Contrast CT performed on POD 7 showed a remarkable reduction in the diameters of both SOVs. A third patient, a 72-year-old woman, presented with severe headache. CT revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and ventriculomegaly. Contrast CT demonstrated a saccular aneurysm on the internal carotid artery-anterior choroidal artery branching site with the bold delineation of the SOVs. The patient underwent microsurgical clipping. Contrast CT performed on POD 68 showed a remarkable reduction in the diameters of both SOVs. The SOVs may function as an alternative venous drainage pathway in the setting of acute intracranial hypertension due to hemorrhagic stroke.

Keywords: Hemorrhagic stroke; Intracranial hypertension; SOV dilation; Superior ophthalmic vein (SOV).