Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis is generally a fulminant process with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, the incidence of CST has been decreased greatly with the advent of effective antimicrobial agents. Cavernous sinus thrombosis, as its name states, is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus is located within the skull and serves to drain blood from the brain and the middle portion of the face back to the heart.Cavernous sinus thrombosis is rare. Bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are the most common organisms found in patients with cavernous sinus thrombosis. Before antibiotics were discovered, the mortality from cavernous sinus thrombosis was 80% to 100%. Since the discovery of antibiotics, the mortality ranges between 20% and 30%.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is the blockage of a large vein at the base of the brain (the cavernous sinus) which causes a blood clot to form. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within the cavernous sinus . Cavernous sinus thrombosis causes edema of the eyelids and the conjunctivae of the eyes and paralysis of the cranial nerves which course through the cavernous sinus. Treatment is with antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage.

Cause of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

Some common causes of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis follows:

• Most cases of septic CST are due to an acute infection in an otherwise healthy individual. However, patients with chronic sinusitis or diabetes mellitus may be at a slightly higher risk.
• The causative agent is generally Staphylococcus aureus, although streptococci, pneumococci, and fungi may be implicated in rare cases.

Symptoms of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

Some commonly symptoms of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis:

• Exophthalmos (first before edema & chemosis)
• Edema of eyelids and bridge of nose
• Chemosis of bulbar conjunctivae
• High fever ,
• Severe pain behind and around the eye.
• Drowsiness or coma
• Rapid heart rate.
• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Paralysis of eye movement
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness in the face

Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis is treated with high-dose antibiotics. Sometimes surgical intervention is needed to drain the infected sinuses. Commonly used antibiotics include the penicillins, the cephalosporins, and metronidazole. You may also be placed on a blood thinner called heparin, but this remains controversial and the decision is made between you and your physician. Some treatment methods of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis:

• The mainstay of therapy is early and aggressive antibiotic administration. Although S aureus is the usual cause, broad-spectrum coverage for gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms should be instituted pending the outcome of cultures.
• Empiric antibiotic therapy should include a penicillinase-resistant penicillin plus a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin. If dental infection or other anaerobic infection is suspected, an anaerobic coverage should also be added.
• Antibiotics are recommended for a minimum of 3-4 weeks.
• Once the diagnosis of cavernous sinus thrombosis is established, intravenous antibiotics are administered to treat the infection.
• Commonly used antibiotics include the penicillins, the cephalosporins, and metronidazole.
• You may also be placed on a blood thinner called heparin, but this remains controversial and the decision is made between you and your physician.
• Surgical drainage of an infected sphenoid sinus is recommended when this is the cause of cavernous sinus thrombosis.
• The condition can be easily treated with high doses of intravenous antibiotic drugs which are given immediately after diagnosis. 

Home | Drugs | Contact Us | Skin Disorders | Home Remedies | Diabetes | Health Blog
Copyright © HealthAtoZ.info All Rights Reserved.