Periodontitis Associated With Septic Lateral Sinus Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman had acute headache and intermittent fever for 1 month. Neuroimaging revealed acute venous thrombosis in the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed increased protein, reduced glucose and leukocytosis. Blood culture yielded Peptostreptococcus, which was highly suspected due to the patient having periodontitis. Meanwhile, multiple pulmonary emboli were detected during the course of treatment. The patient recovered well after antibiotic therapy followed by dental treatment. Dental diseases may cause septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, but their association with lateral sinus thrombosis has not been previously reported. This case report describes the unusual presentation of lateral sinus thrombosis and multiple pulmonary emboli in a patient with periodontitis, and demonstrates that oral cavity can be the primary infection focus, and dental evaluation should be considered for patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.