Cavernous sinus thrombosis

The cavernous sinus 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 get this condition if you have an increased risk of blood clots.

Symptoms include:

• Bulging eyeball, usually on one side of face
• Cannot move the eye in a particular direction
• Drooping eyelids
• Headaches
• Vision loss

Tests that may be ordered include:

• CT scan of the head
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
• Magnetic resonance venogram
• Sinus x-ray

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is treated with high-dose antibiotics given through a vein (IV).

Sometimes surgery is needed to drain the infection.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis can be deadly if left untreated.

Call your health care provider right away if you have:

• Bulging of your eyes
• Drooping eyelids
• Eye pain
• Inability to move your eye in any particular direction
• Vision loss