Cavernous sinus thrombosis: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "2/2" to "secondary to")
(Text replacement - " ==" to "==")
Line 1: Line 1:
''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 ==
*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  
Line 11: Line 11:
**Internal Carotid Artery
**Internal Carotid Artery


=== Causes ===
=== Causes ===
*[[Staph aureus]]
*[[Staph aureus]]
*[[Strep pneumoniae]]
*[[Strep pneumoniae]]
Line 18: Line 18:
*[[Fungi]]
*[[Fungi]]


== Clinical Features ==
== Clinical Features ==
*Fevers, chills, N/V, headache  
*Fevers, chills, N/V, headache  
*Eye exam
*Eye exam
Line 30: Line 30:
*If infection spreads into CNS: AMS, lethargy, meningeal signs
*If infection spreads into CNS: AMS, 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]]
Line 43: Line 43:
*Blood Cx
*Blood Cx


== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
*IV antibiotics:  
*IV antibiotics:  
**3rd generation cephalosporin and:  
**3rd generation cephalosporin and:  
Line 52: Line 52:
*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, surgery specialty (if drainage is needed) and admit ICU


== Complications ==
== Complications ==
*[[Meningitis]]
*[[Meningitis]]
*Septic emboli
*Septic emboli

Revision as of 23:28, 4 July 2016

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

  • 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, N/V, headache
  • Eye exam
    • infraorbital/periorbital cellulitis
    • Exophthalmos (uni/bl)
    • Decreased vision
    • Absent pupillary reflexes
    • Decreased EOM secondary to CN III, IV, VI
      • CN VI typically affected 1st causing lateral gaze palsy
    • Decreased corneal sensation secondary to CN V
  • If infection spreads into CNS: AMS, lethargy, meningeal signs

Differential Diagnosis

Diagnosis

  • MRI with MR Venogram - study of choice
  • CT head/orbits with IV contrast
    • CT findings can be subtle and if clinical suspicion is high cannot rule out if neg CT
  • Blood Cx

Treatment

  • IV antibiotics:
    • 3rd generation cephalosporin and:
    • Nafcillin or vancomycin/linezolid if suspected MRSA and
    • Anaerobic coverage if suspected dental source
  • Consider heparin if rapidly decompensating and CT neg for intracranial hemorrhage
  • Consider steroids to decrease inflammation in conjunction with antibiotics
  • Surgical drainage of primary infection if possible

Disposition

  • Consult ophthalmology, neurology, ID, surgery specialty (if drainage is needed) and admit ICU

Complications

See Also

References