Cavernous sinus thrombosis
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in an area at the base of the brain.
Blood clot
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
Causes
The cavernous sinus is a structure inside the head that receives blood from veins of the face and brain. The blood drains it into other blood vessels that carry it back to the heart. This area also contains nerves that control vision and eye movements.
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is most often caused by a bacterial infection that has spread from the sinuses, teeth, ears, eyes, nose, or skin of the face.
You are more likely to develop this condition if you have an increased risk of blood clots.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Bulging eyeball, usually on one side of face
- Cannot move the eye in a particular direction
- Drooping eyelids
Drooping eyelids
Eyelid drooping is excess sagging of the upper eyelid. The edge of the upper eyelid may be lower than it should be (ptosis) or there may be excess b...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Headaches
Headaches
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...
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Exams and Tests
Tests that may be ordered include:
- CT scan of the head
CT scan of the head
A head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - MRI of the brain
MRI of the brain
A head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Magnetic resonance venogram
- Sinus x-ray
Treatment
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is treated with high-dose antibiotics given through a vein (IV) if an infection is the cause.
IV
Intravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...
Blood thinners help dissolve the blood clot and prevent it from getting worse or recurring.
Surgery is sometimes needed to drain the infection.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cavernous sinus thrombosis can lead to death if left untreated.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider right away if you have:
- Bulging eyes
- Drooping eyelids
- Eye pain
- Inability to move your eye in any particular direction
- Vision loss
References
Chow AW. Infections of the oral cavity, neck, and head. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 64.
Markiewicz MR, Han MD, Miloro M. Complex odontogenic infections. In: Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR, eds. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 17.
Nath A, Berger JR. Brain abscess and parameningeal infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 382.
Sinuses - illustration
The sinuses are hollow cavities within the facial bones. Sinuses are not fully developed until after age 12. When people speak of sinus infections, they are most frequently referring to the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.
Sinuses
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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