What are the Different Types of Sinus Thrombosis?

There are several types of sinus thrombosis, each named for the specific location of the thrombosis, or blood clot. All forms of the condition are quite rare. The disease usually presents as lateral, cavernous, or cerebral sinus thrombosis, with symptoms that vary with the location of the blood clot and which can be quite severe. Before antibiotics were regularly used, sinus thrombosis was usually fatal.

A blood clot that forms in the dural sinus may lead to a condition called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, or dural sinus thrombosis. The symptoms of this condition vary considerably from patient to patient but often include headache, seizure, or loss of mobility in certain parts of the body. Treatment with anticoagulants can eliminate the blood clot if it is discovered early enough. Left untreated, however, a thrombosis in this location can lead to embolism, which poses a great risk to the life of the patient.

Lateral sinus thrombosis can occur as a complication of a severe middle ear disease. This form of thrombosis is extremely rare and usually occurs in children, though there have been occasional cases of adults with the condition. This form of the disease is often caused by a lengthy or severe infection, and one of the first courses of treatment is to kill off the bacterial infection. A doctor may also perform surgery called a mastoidectomy, in which infected cells in the hollow space in the skull behind the affected ear are removed .

The first type of sinus thrombosis to be discovered was cavernous sinus thrombosis. The blood clot in this type of the disease is found at the base of the skull. Though the disease still has a high mortality rate, it is extremely rare now that antibiotics are regularly used. The thrombosis is usually caused by an infection from bacteria, often staphylococcus. Symptoms may vary, but often include headache, loss of vision, and bulging eyes.

In all cases of sinus thrombosis, diagnosis is made with x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan. These tests allow doctors to look into the sinus cavity, where they can see the thrombosis if it is present. Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment, and patients that receive treatment early have a good chance of making a complete recovery. Left untreated, the condition is almost always fatal, as it can progress into an infection of the central nervous system.