Orbital varix thrombosis.

Venous disease of the orbit is a rare occurrence which can become manifest in a variety of ways including an arteriovenous aneurysm or fistula, a cavernous sinus or superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis, and an orbital varix, with and without thrombosis. Three patients had proptosis due to orbital varix thrombosis. The onset, degree of pain, and presence of diplopia were all variable. In two of three patients, computed tomographic (CT) scans showed lesions reminiscent of cavernous hemangiomas. The clinical, radiographic, surgical, and histopathologic features of this entity are described and discussed and a hypothesis is proposed to explain the pathophysiology of orbital varix thrombosis.