Progression of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome to a cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula: a case report

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome after COVID-19 infection

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is a rare, idiopathic, non-specific inflammation within the cavernous sinus and/or superior orbital fissure leading to painful ophthalmoplegia. The authors describe the first case of a 12-year-old otherwise healthy girl who presented with painful ophthalmoplegia after a documented COVID-19 infection. Neuroimaging revealed inflammation within the ipsilateral cavernous sinus, Meckel’s cave, and orbital apex. After a comprehensive work-up was negative, the patient experienced prompt clinical and radiographic improvement with high-dose corticosteroids, and a diagnosis of THS was made.

Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome: A Review of Diagnostic Criteria and Unresolved Issues

Purpose:

To review the diagnostic criteria for Tolosa–Hunt syndrome (THS) and utility of recent modifications.

Methods:

We searched PubMed for keywords Tolosa Hunt and magnetic resonance imaging. We compared the three editions of International Classification of Headache Disorders and isolated case reports and case series with the assessment of cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) caliber to find the prevalence of vascular anomalies. We also evaluated cases of THS with the involvement of extracavernous structures and the possible role of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP). Cases diagnosed falsely as THS were also reviewed for the presence of atypical features and relevance of criterion D. We assessed nonconforming cases (those with normal neuroimaging benign THS) and idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumor (IIPO).

Results:

Vascular abnormalities were found in 36.36% of THS cases. Benign THS may also show changes in ICA caliber. Evidence suggestive of idiopathic HP could be found in 57% of cases with the involvement of extracavernous structures, such as facial nerve and pituitary gland. Both THS and IIPO are steroid-responsive pathologies with similar clinical and radiological features. False-positive diagnosis of THS results from early labeling, based solely on clinical features and symptom resolution after steroid therapy.

Conclusions:

Benign THS may be a result of limitation of resolution of available neuroimaging technique or early testing. Early and late vascular changes can be seen in both THS and its benign variant; some of them are not innocuous. THS may be considered a type of focal idiopathic HP. IIPO may represent an anterior variant of THS. In the absence of histopathological diagnosis, steroid-induced resolution of symptoms should be confirmed radiologically and followed-up.

Carotid cavernous sinus fistula caused by dental implant-associated infection

A 61-year-old woman presented with painful ophthalmoplegia, Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. The patient had undergone a placement of dental implant 5 months before the presentation and had a local maxillary sinusitis 1 month later. She had not been aware of any preceding head trauma or infection. On examination, the patient showed serious right oculomotor nerve paresis and retro-orbital pain. Blood examination showed normal findings. Magnetic resonance imaging identified abnormal structure in the right cavernous sinus with flow void signals. Angiography revealed a carotid cavernous sinus fistula fed by the intracavernous branches of the internal carotid artery on both sides, right internal maxillary and middle meningeal arteries, and left ascending pharyngeal artery. The patient underwent coil embolization via both external carotid arteries. We assumed that local maxillary sinusitis caused by dental implant might spread hematogenously into the sphenoid and cavernous sinuses and formed a carotid cavernous sinus fistula, which presented with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Implant-associated infection has to be managed promptly with adequate manner before it spreads.