Cavernous sinus thrombosis

[Jessica]

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a very rare disorder in which a blood clot (thrombosis) forms in the cavernous sinus (a large vein at the base of the skull).

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is usually caused by the spread of bacteria from infections of the face and orbit (including the skin of the nose), orbit, or sinus.
Symptoms include head and facial pain, visual disturbances, rapidly bulging eyes, and high fever.
The diagnosis is based on symptoms and the results of magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
Even with treatment, the disorder can result in severe after-effects or be fatal.
High doses of antibiotics are given to eliminate the infection.

(See also Introduction to Eye Socket Disorders.)
The cavernous sinus is a large vein at the base of the skull, behind the eyes. This vein drains blood from veins in the face. The cavernous sinus is not one of the air-filled sinuses around the nose (the nasal sinuses).
Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) can affect the cranial nerves that move the eyes and supply sensation to the face. CST can also lead to an infection of the brain and the fluid around the meninges (meningoencephalitis), brain abscess, stroke, blindness, and an underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism).