Facial cellulitis causing superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis in a diabetic ketoacidosis patient

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis can present with a variety of infections. We present a case of rapidly progressive facial cellulitis complicated with superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis (SOVT) and diabetic ketoacidosis. She was managed in Intensive Care Unit with intravenous fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulants and insulin therapy. The SOVT resolved completely without any sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, facial cellulitis resulting in SOVT without orbital cellulitis or cavernous sinus thrombosis has not been reported before. Such complication needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with facial cellulitis and proptosis.