Cavernous sinus syndrome. Analysis of 151 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize lesions causing cavernous sinus syndrome.


METHODS
Review of 26 years of personal experience in a large city hospital.


RESULTS
Among 151 patients, tumors (45 patients, 30%) were the most frequent cause of cavernous sinus syndrome. However, when surgical causes (17 patients, 11%) were included, trauma (36 patients, 24%) became most common. Self-limited inflammation was the third frequent cause (34 patients, 23%), while carotid aneurysms and fistulas, infection, and other causes composed the remaining 12%. The age at onset varied with the cause, and patients with aneurysms (average age, 52 years) and patients with tumors (average age, 47 years) were older than those with self-limited inflammation (average age, 35 years) and trauma (average age, 29 years). Spontaneous remissions defined "self-limited inflammation" but were also seen following an acute onset of symptoms due to aneurysms and pituitary apoplexy.


CONCLUSIONS
In an unselected series from a city hospital, tumor, trauma, and self-limited inflammation were the predominant causes of cavernous sinus syndrome, and classic causes such as aneurysm, meningioma, and bacterial infection were uncommon. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and watchful waiting proved the most effective diagnostic procedures.
Keane
J R
JR
Department of Neurology, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002426:Cavernous Sinus; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007249:Inflammation / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications