Diagnosis and Management of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis and Infection

Thrombosis of the cavernous sinus is one of the most dramatic of neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Within a short period, a swollen orbit, limited ocular motility and impaired vision develop, and life is threatened. Rapid diagnosis and therapeutic action are required. Morbidity Is high, and outcome cannot be certain. Therefore, this striking syndrome, first pathologically recognized by Duncan in 1821 and later clinically defined by Bright in 1831 and especially the eye findings by Knapp in 1868 (Clifford-Jones et al., 1982), is very pertinent to all physicians engaged in the care of patients who present with acute complaints of periocular pain, orbital congestion and double vision. The following review includes the anatomy, pathology, presentation, differential diagnosis, diagnostic approaches and management of cavernous sinus thrombosis, and is obtained from selected references and especially from the literature of the past decade.