Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus is a cavity at the base of the brain that contains a vein, several nerves, and other structures. The vein carries deoxygenated blood from the brain and face back to the heart.

The vein and cavity run between the large bone at the base of the skull (sphenoid bone) and temporal bone (near the temple).

The cause of cavernous sinus thrombosis is usually a bacterial infection that has spread from the sinuses, teeth, ears, eyes, nose, or skin of the face. Persons with conditions that cause an increased risk of blood clots may also develop cavernous sinus thrombosis.

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Review Date: 02/05/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)