Septic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Cavernous sinus thrombosis

INTRODUCTION

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of CST, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence.

DISCUSSION

CST is a potentially deadly thrombophlebitic disease involving the cavernous sinuses. The most common underlying etiology is sinusitis or other facial infection several days prior to development of CST, though other causes include maxillofacial trauma or surgery, thrombophilia, dehydration, or medications. Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcal species, oral anaerobic species, and gram-negative bacilli are the most frequent bacterial etiologies. The most prevalent presenting signs and symptoms are fever, headache, and ocular manifestations (chemosis, periorbital edema, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, vision changes). Cranial nerve (CN) VI is the most commonly affected CN, resulting in lateral rectus palsy. Other CNs that may be affected include III, IV, and V. The disease may also affect the pulmonary and central nervous systems. Laboratory testing typically reveals elevated inflammatory markers, and blood cultures are positive in up to 70% of cases. Computed tomography of the head and orbits with intravenous contrast delayed phase imaging is recommended in the ED setting, though magnetic resonance venography demonstrates the highest sensitivity. Management includes resuscitation, antibiotics, and anticoagulation with specialist consultation.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of CST can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this potentially deadly disease.

Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a potentially lethal subset of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis that may occur as a result of septic and aseptic etiologies. The overall incidence is estimated to be between 0.2 and 1.6 per 100,000 persons; and treatments include antibiotics, anticoagulation, corticosteroids, and surgery. Recent morbidity and mortality estimates are approximately 15% and 11%, respectively. Rapid identification and treatment are essential and may reduce the risk of poor outcome or death.

High Prevalence of F2 20210G > A in Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis and Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients with Thrombosis in Atypical Sites

INTRODUCTION

 Atypical sites for thrombosis include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity (UE-DVT), splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT), and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In addition to specific pathogenic factors, their underlying mechanisms share similarities with typical venous thromboembolism (VTE), namely, DVT of the lower extremity and/or pulmonary embolism, but are less understood.

METHODS

 Records of unselected patients with a history of typical VTE (n = 2,011), UE-DVT (n = 117), SVT (n = 83), and CVST (n = 82), who were referred to the Institute in Bonn for ambulatory thrombophilia testing, were retrospectively analyzed. Acquired and hereditary thrombosis risk factors were comparatively assessed.

RESULTS

 UE-DVT was characterized by a high rate (50.4%) of site-specific acquired risk factors. Compared with typical VTE, SVT was more frequently associated with systemic inflammation, infection, or malignancy (2.2 vs. 12.0%, p = 3·10-8) and the JAK2 V617F mutation was present in 16.9%. In CVST compared with typical VTE, demographics and higher rates of oral contraception (43.2 vs. 57.6%, p = 0.011) and pregnancy (4.2 vs. 10.9%, p = 0.012) suggest a significant hormonal influence on etiology. While the prevalence of inhibitor deficiencies and factor V Leiden mutation did not differ between cohorts, the prevalence of F2 20210G > A was higher in SVT (15.7%, p = 0.003) and CVST (15.9%, p = 0.003) than in typical VTE (7.0%).

CONCLUSION

 The cohorts with thrombosis in atypical sites showed distinctive patterns of acquired risk factors. Further studies are warranted to provide additional mechanistic insight into the role of hormonal influence in CVST and the contribution of F2 20210G > A to the development of SVT and CVST.

Neuroinfectious Emergencies

OBJECTIVE

This article describes nervous system infections and complications that lead to neurologic emergencies.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

New research on the use of dexamethasone in viral and fungal infections is reviewed. The use of advanced MRI techniques to evaluate nervous system infections is discussed.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

Neurologic infections become emergencies when they lead to a rapid decline in a patient's function. Emergent complications may result from neurologic infections that, if not identified promptly, can lead to permanent deficits or death. These complications include cerebral edema and herniation, spinal cord compression, hydrocephalus, vasculopathy resulting in ischemic stroke, venous thrombosis, intracerebral hemorrhage, status epilepticus, and neuromuscular respiratory weakness.

Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare condition traditionally associated with high morbidity and mortality. More recent case series report more favorable outcomes, including full functional recovery. A comprehensive assessment of the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of visual and survival outcomes in septic CST is warranted to contemporize current understanding and help guide management.

METHODS

A multicentered retrospective cohort study was conducted at 2 tertiary care centers using an electronic medical record search of the term, "thrombosis of cavernous venous sinus" between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2021. Inclusion criteria consisted of active infection and radiographic evidence of associated CST. Demographic and clinical data extracted included age at presentation, sex, infection type and extent, and ophthalmic examination findings at presentation-best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presence of relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and extraocular motility (EOM) limitation. Management data collected consisted of type and length of antimicrobial therapy, type and length of anticoagulation administration, and surgical intervention. Primary outcomes assessed were ophthalmic examination findings at final evaluation and same-hospitalization mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients with imaging-confirmed septic CST were identified at 2 tertiary care centers. At presentation, 2 (8.7%) patients had no light perception (NLP) vision, 8 (29.6%) patients had RAPD, 17 (73.9%) patients had EOM limitation, and 13 (54.2%) had IOP >21 mm Hg. All patients received antimicrobial therapy, with vancomycin being the most common agent. Fifteen patients (55.6%) received anticoagulation, and 21 (81.5%) patients underwent surgical intervention. Same-hospitalization mortality was 3 (11.1%). Among the 21 patients with ophthalmic data at follow-up, 3 (16.7%) had NLP vision, 5 (23.8%) had a persistent RAPD, 7 (31.8%) had persistent EOM limitation, and no patients had IOP elevated above 21 mm Hg. Patients with RAPD at presentation had significantly worse BCVA at final evaluation (logMAR BCVA 1.43 higher on average, P = 0.01) and a significantly higher mortality rate (37.5% vs. 0.0%, P < 0.01) than non-RAPD patients. Demographic features, BCVA at presentation, EOM limitation at presentation, elevated IOP at presentation, and comorbid orbital cellulitis were not associated with worse visual or mortality outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Septic CST may result in permanent ophthalmic functional deficit in almost one-third of cases and mortality in approximately 11% of patients under contemporary management. New RAPD at presentation may indicate higher risk of poor visual and survival outcomes.

A Rare Intersection of Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Insights from the Case of a 70-Year-Old Patient

We describe a rare and complex case of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (SCST) in a 70-year-old patient who initially presented with ocular symptoms that rapidly progressed to severe intracranial vascular complications, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Despite the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and anticoagulants, the patient's condition deteriorated. SCST, often caused by sinus infections, presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, with mortality rates exceeding 20%. This report underscores the diversity of clinical presentations, ranging from mild headaches to severe cranial nerve deficits, that complicate diagnosis and treatment. The inability to detect any aneurysms in our patient using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) may indicate an alternative pathogenesis. This could involve venous hypertension and endothelial hyperpermeability. This case illustrates the need for personalized treatment approaches, as recommended by the European Federation of Neurological Societies, and the importance of a multidisciplinary perspective when managing such intricate neurological conditions. Our findings contribute to the understanding of SCST coexisting with SAH.

Neuroimaging of Infectious Vasculopathy

Vasculitis is a complication of several infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system, which may result in ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and aneurysm formation. Infectious agents may directly infect the endothelium causing vasculitis or indirectly affect the vessel wall through an immunological cascade. Clinical manifestations usually overlap with those of noninfectious vascular diseases, making diagnosis challenging. Neuroimaging enables the identification of inflammatory changes in intracranial vasculitis. In this article, we review the imaging features of infectious vasculitis of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic causes.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-associated orbital cellulitis: a case series

PURPOSE

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) orbital cellulitis (OC) has drawn increasing clinical and public health concern. We present a case series of MRSA OC encountered at four Australian tertiary institutions.

METHODS

A multi-centre retrospective case series investigating MRSA OC in Australia from 2013 to 2022. Patients of all ages were included.

RESULTS

Nine cases of culture-positive non-multi-resistant MRSA (nmMRSA) OC were identified at four tertiary institutions across Australia (7 male, 2 female). Mean age was 17.1 ± 16.7 years (range 13-days to 53-years), of which one was 13 days old, and all were immunocompetent. Eight (88.9%) patients had paranasal sinus disease, and seven (77.8%) had a subperiosteal abscess. Four (44.4%) had intracranial extension, including one (11.1%) case which was also complicated by superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Empirical antibiotics, such as intravenous (IV) cefotaxime alone or IV ceftriaxone and flucloxacillin, were commenced. Following identification of nmMRSA, targeted therapy consisting of vancomycin and/or clindamycin was added. Nine (100%) patients underwent surgical intervention. Average hospital admission was 13.7 ± 6.9 days (range 3-25 days), with two patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission due to complications related to their orbital infection. All patients had favourable prognosis, with preserved visual acuity and extraocular movements, following an average follow-up period of 4.6 months (range 2-9 months).

CONCLUSION

NMMRSA OC can follow an aggressive clinical course causing severe orbital and intracranial complications across a wide demographic. However, early recognition, initiation of targeted antibiotics and surgical intervention when required can effectively manage these complications and achieve favourable visual outcomes.

Complications of Severe Odontogenic Infections: A Review

Severe odontogenic infections are routinely treated with little associated morbidity and mortality. Improvements in surgical techniques, antibiotic treatments, and imaging modalities have made associated complications exceedingly rare. A number of complications have been described in the literature including airway obstruction, descending necrotizing mediastinitis, orbital abscess, septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, cerebral abscess, sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, and Lemierre's syndrome. The purpose of this article is to discuss the pathophysiology of severe odontogenic infections and the risk factors associated with the development of complications. Given the morbidity and mortality of these conditions, it is important to review the clinical features of each and the diagnostic tools that aid in early recognition.

From Bilateral Periorbital Necrotic Wound to Fungal Brain Abscess: A Complicated Case of COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) is categorized as rhinocerebral-orbital (RCOM), pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and disseminated mucormycosis. An alarming surge in morbidity and mortality attributed to mucormycosis concurrent with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a cause for concern during the current outbreak of COVID-19. The global incidence of CAM has been attributed to environmental, host, and iatrogenic factors. Further, Mucorales interacting with epithelial cells followed by endothelium invasion are pivotal in developing mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19. In essence, CAM is an emerging condition that requires increased vigilance in all COVID-19 patients, including those who have recovered. In this case report, we describe a rare case of CAM in a 33-year-old immunocompetent man who developed bilateral periocular pain and a small area of cutaneous necrosis in both medial canthi associated with impaired vision, which progressed into a fungal brain abscess formation in the post-COVID period. Furthermore, this case aims to illustrate the potential underlying risk factors of CAM other than known risk factors, especially in immunocompetent individuals.

Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Caused by Dental Infection

Purpose: We report a case of bilateral septic cavernous thrombosis caused by a dental infection.Case summary: A 58-year-old male was transferred to our hospital because of left-sided proptosis and eyelid swelling. The patient had fever and left temporal headache, which did not respond to oral and intravenous antibiotics. After experiencing a tooth injury while chewing hard food 3 months ago, the patient developed toothache and swelling around the tooth for which he did not take any treatment. The patient had left eyelid edema, ptosis, chemosis, and conjunctival congestion. The left eye movements were limited in all directions. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed dilatation and thrombosis of the left superior ophthalmic vein and thrombosis of bilateral cavernous sinuses. The patient was treated with systemic antibiotics and anticoagulants. The blood culture showed growth of Parvimonas micra and Dialister Pneumosintes, which are common causes of dental infection.Conclusions: Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus and superior ophthalmic vein thrombophlebitis can occur due to the spread of dental infection. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important for rapid resolution of symptoms and good prognosis.

Preseptal cellulitis and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis complication in a patient with diabetes mellitus

This was a rare case of preseptal cellulitis with an unexpected complication by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. A 73-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presented with a week history of swelling and redness on the left upper eyelid and right forehead, associated with poor oral intake, lethargy, and fever. She was generally lethargic with poor verbal response. She had cellulitis of the left upper eyelid and right forehead with the left upper eyelid necrosis. Computed tomography venography of the brain revealed thrombosis of the right transverse sinus, right sigmoid sinus, and right internal jugular vein. She later developed left upper eyelid and right forehead abscesses. Incision, drainage, and wound debridement were performed. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulant. After 1 week of treatment, the preseptal and forehead cellulitis had resolved. However, she passed away due to aspiration pneumonia with respiratory failure on day-13 of hospitalization.

COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: Staging and management recommendations (Report of a multi-disciplinary expert committee)

Even before the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic could settle, the unprecedented rise in cases with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis pushed the medical health to the fringe. Hyperglycaemia and corticosteroids appear to be the most consistent associations leading to the commonest manifestation of mucormycosis, Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis. To address challenges right from categorisation and staging of the disease to the management of relentless progression, a multi-disciplinary expert committee was formed to handle the task in an evidence-based format to enforce best practices. The report of the committee on one hand attempts to succinctly present the currently available evidence while at the other also attempts to bridge the evidence-deficient gaps with the specialty-specific virtuosity of experts.

Trombosis bilateral del seno cavernoso en un paciente con enfermedad periodontal y diabetes mellitus. descripción de un caso

La trombosis de los senos cavernosos (TSC) corresponde a una entidad vascular poco usual, asociada con alta morbimortalidad y secuelas neurológicas. La etiología más frecuente son los procesos infecciosos a nivel de cabeza y cuello, que sirven como puerta de entrada para diferentes microorganismos, generando una respuesta inflamatoria que desencadena el evento trombótico. La enfermedad periodontal caracterizada por inflamación gingival, pérdida de tejido conectivo circundante y eventual del diente está asociada con el desarrollo de enfermedades sistémicas secundarias a los patógenos periodontales y mediadores inflamatorios producidos en la cavidad oral. Estos pueden diseminarse y producir complicaciones por contigüidad como eventos trombóticos a nivel del sistema nervioso central. A continuación, se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente que desarrolló una TSC bilateral después de ser sometido a un procedimiento periodontal.

Isolated thrombosis of cortical veins - Clinical and radiological correlation

Isolated cortical venous thrombosis (ICVT) is a relatively rare clinical entity with non-specific clinical presentations. Anatomical variations in cortical veins and the lack of a gold standard imaging feature make the diagnosis of ICVT challenging. Headache and seizures were the most common presentations. The Vein of Trolard followed by superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) were the most commonly involved. Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) cord sign was observed in 100% of the cases. CT cord sign and filling defects on contrast enhanced CT were evident in 46.7% and 10% of the cases, respectively. Notably, in the absence of filling defect visualized on contrast CT, MRI, replacement of flow void was the surrogate marker for the ICVT. A high index of clinical suspicion, a thorough understanding of neurovascular anatomy, multiparametric, multiplanar MRI protocol is required to diagnose this rare entity. A serpiginous blooming structure within the subarachnoid space identifiable in less than two contiguous sections on SWI in the vicinity of haemorrhagic infarction should alert the clinician to the imaging possibility of ICVT.

Case Study of Pediatric Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis Center of a Low Middle-Income Country

Pediatric cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is rare but a potentially fatal disease requiring its understanding in local setting. In this study, we observed the clinical course, management, and outcome of pediatric patients with sinus thrombosis in a tertiary care center at Pakistan. Patients between age 0 to 18 years of both genders diagnosed with sinus thrombosis during 2011 to 2020 were included. Data was collected through in-house computerized system and SPSS version 19 was used for analysis. Of 143492 pediatric admissions, 32 (21 males and 11 females) patients with a median (IQR) age of 4.5 years (0-16) had CVST. This is equivalent to 18.5 CVST events per million pediatric admissions. Adolescents were mostly affected, and the overall mortality was 7%. Primary underlying disorders were infections (59%), hematological neoplasms (12.5%), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (3%) and antiphospholipid syndrome (3%). Activated protein C resistance (44%) was the most common inherited thrombophilia. Twenty-one (66%) patients were anemic with a mean (±SD) hemoglobin of 9.0 g/dL (±2.3). Regression analysis showed a positive association of anemia with multiple sinus involvement (P-value 0.009) but not with duration of symptoms (P-value 0.344), hospital stay (P-value 0.466), age (P-value 0.863) or gender (P-value 0.542) of the patients. SARS-COV2 was negative in patients during 2020. Adolescents were primarily affected by sinus thrombosis and infections was the predominant risk factor for all age groups, with a low all-cause mortality. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for prompt diagnosis and intervention.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in COVID-19

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Initially, novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was considered primarily a respiratory pathogen. However, with time it has behaved as a virus with the potential to cause multi-system involvement, including neurological manifestations. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) has increasingly been reported in association with coronavirus infectious disease of 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we have shed light upon CVT and its possible mechanisms in the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

In this review, data were collected from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science, until March 30, 2021, using pre-specified searching strategies. The search strategy consisted of a variation of keywords of relevant medical subject headings and keywords, including "COVID-19", "SARS-CoV-2", "coronavirus", and "cerebral venous sinus thrombosis".

RESULTS

COVID-19 has a causal association with a plethora of neurological, neuropsychiatric and psychological effects. CVT has gained particular importance in this regard. The known hypercoagulable state in SARS-CoV-2 infection is thought to be the main mechanism in COVID-19 related CVT. Other plausible mechanisms may include vascular endothelial dysfunction and altered flow dynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there are no specific clinical characteristics, insidious or acute onset headache, seizures, stroke-like, or encephalopathy symptoms in a patient with, or who has suffered COVID-19, should prompt the attending physician to investigate for CVT. The treatment of COVID-19 associated CVT does not differ radically from the therapy of CVT without the infection, i.e. urgent initiation of parenteral unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin followed by conventional or mostly newer oral anticoagulants.

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis: A review

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (SCST) is a rare, yet severe, process typically arising from infections of the paranasal sinuses (predominately ethmoid and/or sphenoid sinusitis) and less commonly, otogenic, odontogenic, and pharyngeal sources. Clinical symptoms of SCST arise from obstruction of venous drainage from the orbit and compression of the cranial nerves within the cavernous sinus. In the preantibiotic era SCST was considered universally fatal (80-100%); however, with the introduction of antibiotics the overall incidence, morbidity, and mortality of SCST have greatly declined. In spite of dramatic improvements, morbidity and mortality remain high, with the majority of patients experiencing neurological sequalae, highlighting the severity of the disease and the need for prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Here we review of the literature on SCST with a focus on the current recommendations and recent evidence for diagnostic and medical management of this condition.

Neuro-Ophthalmic Emergencies

Neuro-ophthalmic emergencies include optic nerve, central visual pathway, and ocular motility disorders that, if not identified and treated promptly, may lead to permanent vision loss, other significant morbidity, or mortality. This article provides a framework for approaching patients with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and reviews the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of select emergent conditions that can cause them. Emergent causes of blurry vision, transient vision loss, papilledema, and diplopia, including giant cell arteritis, cardioembolic disease, and aggressive infection, are discussed.

Images of the month: Cavernous sinus venous thrombosis secondary to Streptococcus milleri maxillary sinusitis: An unusual cause of diplopia and headache

Cavernous sinus venous thrombosis is an uncommon condition associated with high mortality rates if not recognised early. Symptoms include headache, visual loss, ophthalmoplegia, altered consciousness, proptosis and periorbital oedema. High-quality imaging is critical in early diagnosis and successful management. Primary infection (such as sinusitis) and possible complications (including meningitis) should be considered as potential aetiologies of cavernous sinus venous thrombosis, especially in those with a preceding history of localised infection. We present a case of a 50-year-old man with a bilateral cavernous sinus venous thrombosis with associated meningitis caused by Streptococcus milleri, secondary to maxillary sinusitis and otomastoiditis. He was successfully treated with antimicrobial treatment, surgical drainage and anticoagulation.

Cavernous sinus lesions

The cavernous sinus is a complex structure susceptible to a wide variety of vascular, neoplastic and inflammatory pathologies. Vascular pathologies include ICA aneurysms, carotid-cavernous fistulas, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and cavernous hemangioma. Neoplasms that involve the cavernous sinus include pituitary adenoma, meningioma, schwannoma, lymphoma, perineural tumor spread, metastases, and direct tumor invasion. Infectious and inflammatory diseases include Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, IgG-4 related disease and invasive fungal infections. In this article, we review the clinical and imaging findings of a number of pathologies involving the cavernous sinus, focusing on key features that can narrow the differential diagnosis and, in some cases, support a particular diagnosis.

Extra-cardiac endovascular infections in the critically ill

Vascular infections are associated with high complication rates and mortality. While there is an extensive body of literature surrounding cardiac infections including endocarditis, this is less so the case for other endovascular infections. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the epidemiology, clinical features, and selected management of severe vascular infections exclusive of those involving the heart. Endovascular infections may involve either the arterial or venous vasculature and may arise in native vessels or secondary to implanted devices. Management is complex and requires multi-disciplinary involvement from the outset. Infective arteritis or device-related arterial infection involves removal of the infected tissue or device. In cases where complete excision is not possible, prolonged courses of antimicrobials are required. Serious infections associated with the venous system include septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular and other deep veins, and intracranial/venous sinuses. Source control is of paramount importance in these cases with adjunctive antimicrobial therapy. The role of anticoagulation is controversial although recommended in the absence of contraindications. An improved understanding of the management of these infections, and thus improved patient outcomes, requires multi-center, international collaboration.

Intracranial abscess from facial cellulitis

Cellulitis, one of most common diseases of everyday life, is often overlooked for its significance. Although cellulitis does not cause or lead to serious problems usually, its possibility to cause life-threatening problem should be known. In present case, a patient who had received acupuncture treatment a week earlier presented to the clinic with symptoms of facial cellulitis. The disease resolved within few weeks under empirical antibiotic treatment but recurred after 3 months. Under close history review of the patient, we found out that the patient had received craniectomy 20 years ago. The patient had blunt headache with no other neurological symptoms that could suspect cranial infection, but considering the risk originating from the patient’s surgical history, brain computed tomography (CT) was taken. CT images revealed abscess formation in the subgaleal and epidural spaces. Craniotomy with abscess evacuation was done promptly. With additional antibiotic treatment postoperatively, the disease resolved, and the 1-month postoperative follow-up brain CT showed no signs of abscess formation.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis due to ipsilateral sphenoid sinusitis

We report a case of septic thrombosis of the right cavernous sinus in a diabetic woman in her late 70's due to ipsilateral sphenoid sinusitis. The diagnosis was delayed and made only after the abrupt and dramatic appearance of the manifestations of sinus thrombosis. The patient developed, among the other symptoms, right peripheral facial palsy, which is a very rare manifestation in cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST). She was treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and enoxaparin. The day of the scheduled drainage of sphenoid sinus-24 hours after the initiation of anticoagulation-she developed fatal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Our case demonstrates the difficulty of timely diagnosis of acute sphenoid sinusitis which has emerged as the most common primary infectious source potentially leading in CST. It also underscores the uncertainty concerning the use of anticoagulation in cerebral sinus thrombosis of infectious origin.

The aetiologies of the unilateral oculomotor nerve palsy: a review of the literature

Oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) is an important and common clinical diagnosis. Its main features are diplopia and ptosis. Its aetiologies are various and complex. A number of different conditions have been reported to cause ONP, such as diabetes mellitus, aneurysm, tumours, painful ophthalmoplegia, pituitary lesions, cavernous sinus lesions, central nervous system infections, and subarachnoid haemorrhage. A patients needs to undergo several tests in order to establish the correct underlying pathology. In this review, we have summarized the aetiologies of the unilateral ONP, and discussed their relative clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and prognosis. We searched PubMed for papers related to ONP and its aetiologies, and selected the publications, which seemed appropriate.

Imaging of cerebrovascular complications of infection

Cerebrovascular complications may occur in infectious diseases in the setting of infective endocarditis, central nervous system (CNS) infections, systemic bacteremia and sepsis. Cerebrovascular complications of infections include vasculitis, mycotic aneurysms, and thrombophlebitis. Infectious vasculitis of the CNS may cause cerebral hemorrhage, infarction or ischemia. Ruptured aneurysms may endanger the patient's life. Infectious thrombophlebitis may cause intracranial pressure to increase and lead to cerebral hemorrhage. These cerebrovascular complications are associated with a poor prognosis and often cause irreversible neurological deficits. Cerebrovascular events secondary to infection are not easily distinguishable from the more common cerebral infarct and non-infectious vasculitis. In addition, the clinical manifestations of cerebrovascular complications of infections are non-specific and highly variable. Therefore, early imaging, antibiotics, and anticoagulation may be lifesaving the patient's life and prevent disability. The main focus of this article is to review imaging analysis of the cerebrovascular complications of infections and imaging features that help differentiate them from non-infectious vascular diseases.

Prognosis of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis remarkably improved: a case series of 12 patients and literature review

Purpose

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare complication of infections in the head and neck area. CST is notorious for its bad prognosis, with high mortality and morbidity rates described in literature. However, these rates are based on old series. We question whether the prognosis of CST is currently still as devastating. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the mortality and morbidity of CST.

Methods

Using the databases of all relevant specialties in our tertiary referral hospital, we collected all the patients treated for CST in the period 2005–2017. In addition, a PubMed search, using the mesh term ‘cavernous sinus thrombosis’, was performed.

Results

We found 12 patients with CST in the study period. Of the 12 patients, 11 survived and 9 recovered without any permanent deficits. Seven patients were treated with anticoagulation, and in none of the patients we saw hemorrhagic complications. In literature, older articles describe higher mortality rates (14–80%), but more recent articles report mortality and morbidity rates similar to our results.

Conclusions

The prognosis of CST nowadays is more favorable than previously described. Anticoagulation seems to be a safe addition to antibiotic and surgical treatment, at least in patients without central nervous system infection.

Approach to a Patient with Diplopia in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Diplopia can be the result of benign or life-threatening etiologies. It is imperative for the emergency physician to be proficient at assessing diplopia and recognize when urgent referral or neuroimaging is required.

OBJECTIVE

The first part of this review highlights a simple framework to arrive at the appropriate disposition of diplopic patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). The second part of this review provides more detail and further management strategies.

DISCUSSION

ED strategies for assessment of diplopia are discussed. Management strategies, such as when to image, what modality of imaging to use, and urgency of referral, are discussed in detail.

CONCLUSIONS

Unenhanced plain computed tomography (CT) of the head or orbits is largely not useful in the work-up of diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging is preferred for ocular motor nerve palsies. Due to limited resources in the ED, patients with isolated fourth and sixth nerve palsies with the absence of other neurological signs on examination should be referred to Neurology or Ophthalmology for further work-up. All patients presenting with an acute isolated third nerve palsy should be imaged with CT and CT angiography of the brain to rule out a compressive aneurysm. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging of the brain and orbits would be indicated in suspected orbital apex syndrome or a retro-orbital mass, thyroid eye disease, or ocular trauma. CT and CT venogram should be considered in cases of suspected cavernous sinus thrombosis. In any patient over the age of 60 years presenting with recent (1 month) history of diplopia, inflammatory markers should be obtained to rule out giant cell arteritis.

Aetiology and clinical features of facial cellulitis: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

In the early 20th century, the face was the predominant site of cellulitis. Despite a relative decrease in the incidence of facial cellulitis, it is still common. There are few studies on this condition during the last decades. The aim of this study was to describe contemporary aetiological and clinical characteristics of patients admitted to hospital with non-suppurative facial cellulitis.

METHODS

Patients were included prospectively. Clinical details, comorbidities and biochemistry results were recorded. Investigations included cultures of skin swab and blood and tests for streptococcal antibodies during the acute and convalescent stages.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were included. Serology, cultures and response to penicillin monotherapy identified probable or confirmed β-haemolytic streptococci (BHS) aetiology in 75% (49/65) of cases. Significant comorbidities were present in 54% (35/65). Fever, chills or rigors before or at admission was noted in 91% (59/65). Patients presented most often with sharply demarcated erythema and raised borders (54/64). Penicillin or penicillinase-resistant penicillin alone or in combination cured 68% (44/65) of the patients. Supplementary clindamycin was used in 28% (18/65), most often only for 1-3 days. Only four patients needed a second course of antibiotics. Clinical failure was more often seen in patients with non-BHS aetiology (p = .037). Few complications were noted; 14.5% (9/62) experienced transient diarrhoea, and only one had confirmed Clostridium difficile infection. No patients developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and there were no fatalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that BHS are the leading cause of facial cellulitis. Most patients exhibit sharply demarcated lesions and systemic symptoms. Narrow-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics and short hospital stay appear sufficient. Few complications and low recurrence rates were seen.

A singular case of cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm in patient with cavernous sinus syndrome and bacterial meningitis

We report the uncommon case of an acute cavernous sinus syndrome in a patient who was consequently discovered to have both a cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm and bacterial meningitis. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Which of the two, the aneurysm or the meningitis, gave rise to the patient’s symptoms? We briefly reviewed the literature of similar cases and tried to analyze the possible pathophysiological relationship between these findings. Moreover, this case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary management of these patients to better decide between a medical and a surgical and/or endovascular treatment.