Cavernous sinus thrombosis: Difference between revisions

(Structures within the Cavernous sinus)
 
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''The cavernous sinus is one of the several cerebral veins and cavernous sinus thrombosis is a specific type of [[cerebral venous thrombosis|cerebral venous (sinus) thrombosis]].  See that article for a discussion of the larger clinical entity.''
''The cavernous sinus is one of the several cerebral veins and cavernous sinus thrombosis is a specific type of [[cerebral venous thrombosis|cerebral venous (sinus) thrombosis]].  See that article for a discussion of the larger clinical entity.''


== Background ==
==Background==
[[File:Gray571.png|thumb|Oblique section through the cavernous sinus.]]
*Severe infection involving complications of paranasal sinus and facial infections (e.g. manipulated midface abscesses, furuncles)  
*Severe infection involving complications of paranasal sinus and facial infections (e.g. manipulated midface abscesses, furuncles)  
*Frequent extension of thrombosis to opposite sinus  
*Frequent extension of thrombosis to opposite sinus  
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**Internal Carotid Artery
**Internal Carotid Artery


=== Causes ===
===Causes===
*[[Staph aureus]]
*[[Staph aureus]]
*[[Strep pneumoniae]]
*[[Strep pneumoniae]]
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*[[Fungi]]
*[[Fungi]]


== Clinical Features ==
==Clinical Features==
*Fevers, chills, N/V, headache
*[[Fevers]]/chills
*[[Nausea/vomiting]]
*[[Headache]]
*Eye exam
*Eye exam
**infraorbital/periorbital cellulitis
**infraorbital/periorbital [[cellulitis]]
**Exophthalmos (uni/bl)
**Exophthalmos (uni or bilateral)
**Decreased vision
**[[vision loss|Decreased vision]]
**Absent pupillary reflexes
**Absent pupillary reflexes
**Decreased EOM 2/2 CN III, IV, VI
**Decreased EOM secondary to CN III, IV, VI
***CN VI typically affected 1st causing lateral gaze palsy
***[[abducens nerve palsy|CN VI]] typically affected 1st causing lateral gaze palsy
**Decreased corneal sensation 2/2 CN V  
***CN VI palsy and [[Horner Syndrome]] known as Parkinson sign<ref>Harris FS and Rhoton, Jr. AL. Anatomy of the cavernous sinus: A microsurgical study. Journal of Neurosurgery. 1976; 45: 169-180.</ref>
*If infection spreads into CNS: AMS, lethargy, meningeal signs
**Decreased corneal sensation secondary to CN V  
*If infection spreads into CNS: altered mental status, lethargy, meningeal signs


== Differential Diagnosis ==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Aneurysmal dilation/rupture of internal carotid artery in cavernous sinus  
*Aneurysmal dilation/rupture of internal carotid artery in cavernous sinus  
*[[Cellulitis]]
*[[Cellulitis]]
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*[[Sinusitis]]
*[[Sinusitis]]


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
*MRI with MR Venogram - study of choice  
*[[brain MRI|MRI]] with MR Venogram - study of choice  
*CT head/orbits with IV contrast
*[[CT head]] Venogram acceptable choice if no MR available with 95% sensitivity <ref> Chiewvit P, Piyapittayanan S, Poungvarin N. Cerebral venous thrombosis: diagnosis dilemma. Neurol Int. 2011 Nov 29;3(3):e13. doi: 10.4081/ni.2011.e13. Epub 2011 Dec 15. PMID: 22368772; PMCID: PMC3286153. </ref>
**CT findings can be subtle and if clinical suspicion is high cannot rule out if neg CT  
**CT findings can be subtle and if clinical suspicion is high cannot rule out with a negative CT  
*Blood Cx
*Blood cultures


== Treatment  ==
==Management==
*IV antibiotics:  
*IV antibiotics:  
**3rd generation cephalosporin and:  
**3rd generation [[cephalosporin]] AND:  
**Nafcillin or vancomycin/linezolid if suspected MRSA and <br>  
**[[Nafcillin]] or [[vancomycin]]/[[linezolid]] if suspected MRSA and <br>  
**Anaerobic coverage if suspected dental source  
**Anaerobic coverage if suspected dental source  
*Consider heparin if rapidly decompensating and CT neg for intracranial hemorrhage  
*Consider [[heparin]] if rapidly decompensating and CT negative for intracranial hemorrhage  
*Consider steroids to decrease inflammation in conjunction with antibiotics  
*Consider [[steroids]] to decrease inflammation in conjunction with antibiotics  
*Surgical drainage of primary infection if possible
*Surgical drainage of primary infection if possible


== Disposition ==
==Disposition==
*Consult ophthalmology, neurology, ID, surgery specialty (if drainage is needed) and admit ICU
*Consult ophthalmology, neurology, ID, and ENT (or other appropriate surgery subspecialty)
*Admit to ICU


== Complications ==
==Complications==
*[[Meningitis]]
*[[Meningitis]]
*Septic emboli
*Septic emboli
*Remaining visual defects
*Remaining visual defects
*CNS deficit
*[[focal neuro deficits|CNS deficit]]
*[[Adrenal Crisis|pituitary insufficiency]]
*[[Adrenal Crisis|pituitary insufficiency]]


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==References==
==References==
 
<references/>
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Neurology]]
[[Category:Vascular]]
[[Category:Vascular]]

Latest revision as of 19:59, 7 December 2022

The cavernous sinus is one of the several cerebral veins and cavernous sinus thrombosis is a specific type of cerebral venous (sinus) thrombosis. See that article for a discussion of the larger clinical entity.

Background

Oblique section through the cavernous sinus.
  • Severe infection involving complications of paranasal sinus and facial infections (e.g. manipulated midface abscesses, furuncles)
  • Frequent extension of thrombosis to opposite sinus
  • Low frequency, but high rate of morbidity/mortality
  • Structures within the Cavernous Sinus
    • V1 and V2
    • III, IV, VI
    • Internal Carotid Artery

Causes

Clinical Features

  • Fevers/chills
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Headache
  • Eye exam
    • infraorbital/periorbital cellulitis
    • Exophthalmos (uni or bilateral)
    • Decreased vision
    • Absent pupillary reflexes
    • Decreased EOM secondary to CN III, IV, VI
    • Decreased corneal sensation secondary to CN V
  • If infection spreads into CNS: altered mental status, lethargy, meningeal signs

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

  • MRI with MR Venogram - study of choice
  • CT head Venogram acceptable choice if no MR available with 95% sensitivity [2]
    • CT findings can be subtle and if clinical suspicion is high cannot rule out with a negative CT
  • Blood cultures

Management

  • IV antibiotics:
  • Consider heparin if rapidly decompensating and CT negative for intracranial hemorrhage
  • Consider steroids to decrease inflammation in conjunction with antibiotics
  • Surgical drainage of primary infection if possible

Disposition

  • Consult ophthalmology, neurology, ID, and ENT (or other appropriate surgery subspecialty)
  • Admit to ICU

Complications

See Also

References

  1. Harris FS and Rhoton, Jr. AL. Anatomy of the cavernous sinus: A microsurgical study. Journal of Neurosurgery. 1976; 45: 169-180.
  2. Chiewvit P, Piyapittayanan S, Poungvarin N. Cerebral venous thrombosis: diagnosis dilemma. Neurol Int. 2011 Nov 29;3(3):e13. doi: 10.4081/ni.2011.e13. Epub 2011 Dec 15. PMID: 22368772; PMCID: PMC3286153.