Cavernous sinus thrombosis - Complications

Complications-Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Complications

Up to 1 in 3 people with cavernous sinus thrombosis may die. Some people who survive it are left with ongoing symptoms such as seizures (fits) and severe headaches.

It can also cause further problems with vision, blood clots and infections.

Vision problems

Problems with vision are a relatively common complication of cavernous sinus thrombosis.

A few people have a degree of permanent visual impairment, although permanent blindness is uncommon.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis - Causes

Causes-Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Complications

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is usually caused by a bacterial infection that spreads from another area of the face or skull.

Many cases are the result of an infection of staphylococcal (staph) bacteria, which can cause:

• sinusitis – an infection of the small cavities behind the cheekbones and forehead
• a boil – a red, painful lump that develops at the site of an infected hair follicle (squeezing a boil can increase the risk of the infection spreading)

Most people have one of these conditions before developing cavernous sinus thrombosis. However, boils and sinusitis are common and it's very rare that they lead to cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis - Symptoms

Symptoms-Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Complications

The most common initial symptom of cavernous sinus thrombosis is a headache.

This usually develops as a sharp pain located behind or around the eyes that steadily gets worse over time.

Symptoms often start within a few days of developing an infection in the face or skull, such as sinusitis or a boil.

It can be several days, or even weeks, before additional symptoms develop after the headache starts.

The eyes

In most cases of cavernous sinus thrombosis, the eyes are affected. You may experience:

• swelling and bulging of the eyes – this usually starts in one eye and spreads to the other eye soon after
• red eyes
• eye pain – which can be severe
• vision problems – such as double vision or blurred vision
• difficulty moving the eyes
• drooping of the eyelids

Cavernous sinus thrombosis - Overview

Overview-Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Complications

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinuses. It can be life-threatening.

The cavernous sinuses are hollow spaces located under the brain, behind each eye socket. A major blood vessel called the jugular vein carries blood through the cavernous sinuses away from the brain.

A blood clot can develop when an infection in the face or skull spreads to the cavernous sinuses. The blood clot develops to prevent the infection spreading further, but it can restrict the blood flow from the brain, which can damage the brain, eyes and nerves running between them. Sometimes, clots can develop without infection.

Read more about the causes of cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Symptoms of cavernous sinus thrombosis include:

• a sharp and severe headache, particularly around the eye
• swelling and bulging of the eye(s) and the surrounding tissues
• eye pain that's often severe
• double vision