Chronic Sphenoid Sinusitis-associated Cavernous Sinus Thrombophlebitis Complicated with Internal Carotid Artery Thrombosis and Multiple Cerebral Infarction: a Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis (CST) is a rare disease that may be life-threatening. The overall morbidity and mortality of CST are still high although the introduction of antibiotics has greatly promoted the reduction of them, which mostly due to delayed treatment caused by misdiagnosis. CST with internal carotid artery thrombosis and multiple cerebral infarction secondary to chronic sphenoid sinusitis is rare, but it is essential to rapidly identify, diagnose and treat the disease, since it can lead to serious neurological sequelae. We encountered a patient with chronic sphenoid sinusitis-associated internal carotid artery thrombosis and multiple cerebral infarction, identified his vascular lesions using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, and discussed relevant diagnosis and treatment for him, his prognosis as well as the pathogenesis based on a literature review, hoping to inform clinical treatment of CST patients.

Keywords

• thrombophlebitis|cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis|sphenoid sinusitis|carotid artery thrombosis|brain infarction|diabetes mellitus|magnetic resonance imaging|case report