The clinical presentation of metastatic disease to the cavernous sinus includes ophthalmoplegia, pain and sensory deficit along the optic or maxillary branches of the trigeminal nerve. The role of a CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis is discussed. It was found that magnetic resonance imaging is superior to CT scan in demonstrating the cavernous sinus and pontine borders, especially in lymphomatous involvement of these structures.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
DanielsD.L., PechP., MarkL., PojunasK., WilliamsA.L., HaughtonV.M.: Magnetic resonance imaging of the cavernous sinus. Am. J. Radiol., 144: 1009–1014, 1985.
2.
Donovan-PostM.J., MendezD.R., KlineL.B., AckerJ.D., GlaserJ.S.: Metastatic disease to cavernous sinus: clinical syndrome and CT diagnosis. J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr., 9: 115–120, 1985.
3.
HawkesR.G., HollandG.N., MooreW.S., CorstonR., KeanD.M., WorthingtonB.S.: The application of NMR imaging to the evaluation of pituitary and juxtasellar tumors. AJNR, 4: 221–222, 1983.
4.
MooreC.E., HoytW.F., NorthJ.B.: Painful ophthalmoplegia following treated squamous carcinoma of the forehead. Orbital apex involvement from centriped spread via the supraorbital nerve. Med. J. Aust., 1: 657–659, 1976.
5.
ThomasJ.E., YossR.E.: The parasellar syndrome: problems in determining etiology. Mayo Clin. Proc., 45: 617–623, 1970.
6.
WoodruffW.W., YeatesA.E., McLendonR.E.: Perineural tumor extension to the cavernous sinus from superficial facial carcinoma: CT manifestations. Radiology, 161: 395–399, 1986.