Case report


Carotid cavernous fistula presenting as orbital cellulitis

Christopher J Peterson MD, MS, Benjamin Lee BS, and Mark D. Lacy MD

ABSTRACT

Carotid cavernous fistula is a serious vascular disorder that is commonly misdiagnosed due to clinical signs that overlap with several other diagnoses and the need for sensitive imaging techniques, most notably digital subtraction angiography, to make the diagnosis. Here we present a case of carotid cavernous fistula mimicking orbital cellulitis, ultimately diagnosed with magnetic resonance venography.

Keywords: carotid cavernous fistula, cellulitis, embolization




Article citation: Peterson CJ, Lee B. Lacy MD. Carotid cavernous fistula presenting as orbital cellulitis. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2023;11(46):39–43

From: Department of Internal Medicine (CJP), Virginia Tech School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA; School of Medicine (BL), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX; College of Engineering (BL), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Department of Internal Medicine (MDL), School of Medicine, University of New Albuquerque, NM

Submitted: 9/25/2022

Accepted: 12/16/2023

Conflicts of interest: none

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