MASSIVE HEMATURIA FOLLOWING USE OF HEPARIN IN CAVERNOUS SINUS THROMBOSIS

Abstract

Cavernous sinus thrombosis of the acute fulminating type has always been accompanied by an exceedingly high mortality. In reports of recoveries from this grave disease in the past, the accuracy of the diagnosis has frequently been open to question or criticism. Recently, however, well authenticated reports of recovery following the use of the sulfonamides have begun to filter into the current literature. In 1940 Schall¹ successfully treated 3 cases of cavernous sinus thrombosis and 1 case of longitudinal sinus thrombosis with a combination of sulfathiazole and heparin. These cases were later reported in part by Lyons.² Morrison and Schindler³ reported 1 case in which a cure was brought about by sulfapyridine alone, while the Wolfes⁴ report still another recovery using sulfathiazole. The case reported here, in addition to increasing the number of known recoveries, also presents some unique conditions not heretofore encountered. Massive hematuria has not