Double vision, eyelid droop, pain in the distribution of the V-1 and V-2 branches of the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, or numbness.
Critical
Limitation of eye movement corresponding to any combination of a third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerve palsy on one side; facial pain or numbness or both corresponding to first or second branches of the fifth cranial nerve; ptosis and a small pupil (Horner syndrome); the pupil also may be dilated if the third cranial nerve is involved. Any combination of the above may be present simultaneously because of the anatomy of the cavernous sinus. All signs involve the same side of the face when one cavernous sinus/superior orbital fissure is involved. The circular sinus connects the cavernous sinuses, and its involvement can cause contralateral signs. Consider orbital apex syndrome when proptosis and optic neuropathy are present.
Other
Proptosis may be present when the superior orbital fissure is involved.
NOTE: |
Orbital apex syndrome combines the superior orbital fissure syndrome with optic nerve dysfunction, and most commonly results from an orbital lesion. |
Clivus tumors may produce fluctuating symptoms of double vision with an incomitant esotropia and only very mildly limited abduction deficits. These tumors also may produce relatively comitant esotropias due to involvement of both sixth cranial nerves as they ascend the clivus.
NOTE: |
Previously resected tumors may invade the cavernous sinus years after resection. |
Work-Up
NOTE: |
Patients suspected of having dural arteriovenous fistulas are recommended to undergo arteriography to look for cortical venous drainage. If present, this puts the patient at greater risk for intracranial hemorrhage. These AVMs may present with a variable double vision syndrome involving partial paresis of the third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves. These lesions do not produce proptosis or any of the other external signs of cavernous sinus vascular lesions. The eyes are white and quiet. These lesions are especially difficult to diagnose and can produce large stroke syndromes. |
Treatment and Follow-Up
Arteriovenous Fistula
Metastatic Disease to the Cavernous Sinus
Often requires systemic chemotherapy (if a primary is found) with or without radiation therapy to the metastasis. Refer to an oncologist.
Intracavernous Aneurysm
Refer to a neurosurgeon for work-up and possible treatment.
Zygomycosis (Mucormycosis)
NOTE: |
Renal status and electrolytes must be checked before initiating therapy with amphotericin B and then monitored closely during treatment. Liposomal amphotericin has significantly less renal toxicity. |
Pituitary Apoplexy
These patients may be quite ill and require immediate systemic steroid therapy. Refer emergently to neurosurgery for surgical consideration.
Varicella Zoster Virus
See 4.16, HERPES ZOSTER OPHTHALMICUS/VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS.
Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
TolosaHunt Syndrome
Prednisone 80 to 100 mg p.o. daily for 1 week, and then decrease dose by 10 mg per week until discontinued. If pain persists after 72 hours, stop steroids and initiate reinvestigation to rule out other disorders. This condition requires a very gradual steroid taper.
NOTE: |
Other infectious or inflammatory disorders may also respond to steroids initially, so these patients need to be monitored closely. |