Your Guide to Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

A cavernous sinus thrombosis or CST was initially described in 1831 by Bright as a complication of sud-dural and epidural infections. A person with CST has developed a blood clot in his cavernous sinus which is a potential life-threatening medical condition. A cavernous sinus is a collection of veins that are thin walled, that are inside the skull just right behind the nose and eye sockets.

CST is a very serious but rare condition which occurs as a result of a complication of another condition or infections. These include infections in the face, ears, and spinal dura. It can also cause strokes, abscess in the brain and other medical complications. The symptoms of CST are eye pain, double vision, drooping eyelids, vision impairment, difficulty in moving the eyes, headaches, swelling around the eyes, fever and facial swelling. CST is a result of untreated infections inside and around the skull. However, it can still lead to death.

So if you have dental problems or ear and sinus infections, seek immediate medical attention. You have to complete as well the course of treatment to reduce sinusits complications such as CST.

There are ways available on how to prevent making the condition fatal, such as the use of antibiotics to immediately address infections to reduce the development of complications. However, a surgical drainage can also be done to treat cavernous sinus thrombosis in some cases. Collaboration of a neurologist with a nose, ear and throat doctor to answer any underlying cause is needed during surgery.

What are the things to do if you have CST?

• The best thing to do is prevention. You have to know the primary source of the infections (such us in your face, sinus or middle ear).
• You have to understand that CST can rapidly progress; that’s why you have to seek medical attention immediately.
• It is a medical emergency and it depends on the location of the primary infected areas. You should seek an appropriate specialist to be involved. For instance, if your eyes are already infected, an ophthalmologist or a surgeon who specializes in eye diseases is what you need.

There are three important sinuses that you must know. These are the following:

• Cavernous sinus – This is bordered by the temporal bone and sphenoid bone of the skull with a large channel of venous blood which creates a sinus cavity. This is an important structure because of its location and contents which include vital parts which are the ophthalmic nerve, oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, the maxillary nerve, trigeminal) nerve and abducens nerve.
• Pyriform sinus – It is a passage that is a pear-shaped that flanks the sides of the voice box or larynx, or voice box. It is a vital body structure that is responsible for speech. It is also called as piriform fossa, piriform sinus and piriform recess.
• Ethmoid sinus – This is located between the eye sockets and above the nose that is within the human skull. These sinuses are filled with seven to ten interconnected bubbles that are matchbox-sized. These bubbles are very thin-walled bones which are lined up with mucus membrane.

For related information read prevent sinus infection