The role of lumbar puncture and pressure-lowering therapy for transverse dural sinus thrombosis

Transverse (lateral) sinus thrombosis is a well-known complication of acute otitis media and mastoiditis in the pediatric and adult population. Thrombosis involving the transverse sinus can ultimately cause elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) as a result of decreased cerebrospinal fluid absorption. If treatment to lower ICP is not undertaken, it can lead to ophthalmological complications including irreversible vision loss. The following case report describes an 11-year-old girl who was diagnosed with AOM by her pediatrician and subsequently presented to the emergency department complaining of nausea, vomiting, headache, and diplopia.