Cavernous sinus syndrome is defined as any neurologic symptom and sign complexes caused by the lesion around the cavernous sinus. They can be included; 1) superior orbital fissure syndrome or Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (cranial nerve Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅵ
symptom,
superior and inferior ophthalmic vein occlusion), 2) orbital apex syndrome (cranial nerve Ⅱ symptom), 3) cavernous sinus thrombosis, 4) space occupying lesions (SOL) in the cavernous sinus and so forth.
Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis was fatal in preantibiotic era with its high mortality rate. Since the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s, the incidence of the condition and the mortality from it have been markedly reduced. But inadequate
diagnosis
and inappropriate treatment can make complications and sequalae.
Authors report four cases of cavernous sinus syndrome after the paranasal sinusitis and review the literature to reacquaint with the diagnostic and managing considerations. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:8, 1995)
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