Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinus, a cavity at the base of the brain containing veins, nerves and other structures. It is usually caused by an acute facial infection involving the maxillary teeth, upper lip, nose or orbit that spreads retrogradely through facial veins to the cavernous sinus. Symptoms include diplopia, photophobia, orbital edema, exopthalmos, and involvement of cranial nerves III-VI causing ophthalmoplegia and loss of corneal reflex. Treatment requires high dose intravenous antibiotics and surgical decompression of any underlying infection.

2. What is a cavernous sinus
thrombosis?
Cavernous sinus thrombosis is
when a blood clot is in the
cavernous sinus [which is a
cavity at the base of the brain a
vein, nerves and other
structures].

3. Acute facial infection involving the
maxillary teeth , upper lip nose or
orbit .this will result in bacteremia
and retrograde spread on infection
through the valveless anterior and
posterior facial veins to the
cavernous sinus.It is an emergency
condition that is often fatal.
Etiology Information

4. Clinical information
Diplpia , Photophobia , Orbital
edema , Progressive,Exopthalmos.
Involovement of third ,fourth ,fifth
and sixth cranial nerves produces
ophthalmoplegia , a midposition
fixed pupil , loss of corneal reflex
, and dimiished sensation over the
upper face.

5. Obstruction of venous return from
the retina result in papilledema
, retinal hemorrhage, and visual
loss.
Clinical information

7. Treatment /prognosis
information
Requires maximum dosage of
intravenous antibiotics , and
surgical decompression of the
underlying predisposinf
infection . Anticoagulation and
steroids are not indicated.