Walsh & Hoyt: Tumors in the Superior Orbital Fissure and Cavernous Sinus

The sphenocavernous syndrome is caused by tumors in the region of the superior orbital fissure and the anterior cavernous sinus. It is characterized by paralysis or paresis of more than one ocular motor nerve, involvement of the first (and occasionally the second) division of the trigeminal nerve, and damage to the oculosympathetic pathway. The lesion may also compress the optic nerve either within the orbit or intracranially, producing progressive visual loss. Common tumors in this region include meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and metastatic tumors, particularly carcinomas and lymphomas.