Health Encyclopedia

Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Definition

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus is a cavity at the base of the brain that contains a vein, several nerves, and other structures. The vein carries deoxygenated blood from the brain and face back to the heart.

The vein and cavity run between the large bone at the base of the skull (sphenoid bone) and temporal bone (near the temple).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of cavernous sinus thrombosis is usually a bacterial infection that has spread from the sinuses, ears, eyes, nose, or skin of the face.

Symptoms

Bulging eyeballs
Cannot move the eye in a particular direction
Drooping eyelids
Vision loss

Signs and tests

Tests that may be ordered include:

CT scan of the head
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
Sinus x-ray

Treatment

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is treated with high-dose intravenous (through a vein) antibiotics. Sometimes surgery is needed to drain the infection.

Expectations (prognosis)

Cavernous sinus thrombosis can be fatal. However, the death rate of this condition has improved tremendously since the introduction of antibiotics.

Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor right away if you have:

Bulging of your eyes
Drooping eyelids
Eye pain
- Inability to move your eye in any particular direction
- Vision loss

References

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:2717.

Review Date:8/18/2008
Reviewed By:David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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