Invasive aspergillosis presenting as a cavernous sinus mass in immuno competent individuals; report of 3 cases

Aspergillosis of the cavernous sinus is rare, especially in immuno competent individuals. We report three such cases secondary to paranasal sinus aspergillosis, with imaging findings. Received: 26 March 1998/Accepted: 28 January 1999     

Roentgenological investigation of cavernous sinus structure with special reference to paracavernous cranial nerves

Summary We have evaluated the anatomical structure of cavernous sinuses in parasellar blocks obtained from adult cadavers to gain clinically useful information. Ten microdissectional studies of parasellar blocks (20 sides of cavernous sinus) were carried out with special emphasis on the course of paracavernous cranial nerves (3rd to 6th). These were also examined on plain radiographs. Secondly, CT investigations of the cavernous sinuses (notably as to paracavernous cranial nerves) were undertaken in twenty clinical cases having presumed parasellar lesions and in three parasellar blocks from cadavers. The results from microdissectional studies and plain radiographs were as follows. It was found that the 3rd cranial nerve entered the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus close to the antero-inferior part of the posterior clinoid on lateral projection. The 4th cranial nerve, on the other hand, entered near the postero-inferior portion of the posterior clinoid on the same view. Variations in Parkinson's triangle were fairly often noted, although marked asymmetry was not seen in individual cases. From CT findings, it was found that a postenhanced, magnified direct coronal study was essential for identifying paracavernous cranial nerves more clearly. The 3rd and 5th cranial nerves were fairly well identified on axial and coronal projections. Careful radiological investigation including plain skull radiographs & CT seems to be of value for those who diagnose or treat parasellar lesions.     

Computed tomography scans of paranasal sinuses before functional endoscopic sinus surgery

This review aims to familiarize the radiologist with the common types of sinus surgery including their indications and techniques.We also illustrate how surgeons interpret 3D sinus anatomy when evaluating computed tomography(CT)studies.Preoperative evaluation by CT is mandatory for all patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery(FESS).In the past decade in particular,CT of the paranasal sinuses has become a roadmap for FESS.The radiologist’s goal is to report on five key points:the extent of sinus opacification,opacification of sinus drainage pathways,anatomical variants,critical variants,and condition of surrounding soft tissues of the neck,brain and orbits.We present a systematic approach to the use of coronal,axial,and sagittal images in CT evaluation before FESS.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of cavernous sinus cavernous hemangiomas

Summary Radiological findings of surgically verified cavernous hemangiomas of the cavernous sinus are presented with special reference to the appearance in magnetic resonance imaging. Differences in radiological features of the cavernous sinus cavernous hemangiomas and intracerebral cavernous hemangiomas are discussed.     

Recovery of opthalmoplegia associated with cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas after transvenous cavernous sinus packing

Background

We report the recovery of ophthalmoplegia in 11 patients with cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF) after sinus packing at follow-up.

Methods

Of 18 patients with CSDAVF treated with transvenous cavernous sinus packing between August 2002 and December 2007 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, there were 9 patients with initial CNIII or CNVI dysfunction and 2 patients with CNVI dysfunction immediately after cavernous sinus packing selected and reevaluated.

Results

Of 11 patients with CNIII or CNVI palsy, recovery was complete in 10. In 1 patient, complete CNVI palsy was unchanged because the CSDAVF was not cured. There were 6 men and 5 women with a mean age of 52.9 years. In 5 patients, CNVI palsy was associated with chemosis, proptosis and pulsatile tinnitus. Timing of treatment after onset of symptoms was from 4 to 35 days in 9 patients. All CSDAVFs were Barrow type D. Mean follow-up after treatment was 17.7 months (range, 2-54 months).

Conclusion

CSDAVF-induced CNIII or CNVI palsies can be cured after cavernous sinus packing transvenously in most patients.     

海绵窦海绵状血管瘤的影像诊断与手术治疗

目的:探讨海绵窦海绵状血管瘤CT、MRI表现特征和外科治疗方法,以提高其诊断治疗水平。方法:回顾性分析8例海绵窦海绵状血管瘤影像学表现及经额颞联合耳前颞下入路、改良翼点入路的手术治疗方法。结果:海绵窦海绵状血管瘤呈类圆形或哑铃状,CT平扫为均匀的等、稍高或稍低密度影,伴蝶骨轻度骨质侵蚀;MRI检查T1WI呈等、稍低的均匀信号,T2WI为均匀的高信号;增强扫描显著强化。额颞联合耳前颞下入路全切除1例,次全切除2例;改良翼点入路全切除4例,次全切除1例。结论:海绵窦海绵状血管瘤有一定CT、MRI表现特征,有助于术前诊断;额颞联合耳前颞下入路、改良翼点入路是手术治疗的主要方法。     

Cavernous haemangioma in the cavernous sinus: case report and review of the literature

We report a cavernous haemangioma in the left cavernous sinus. This lesions very rarely occurs in this site and is difficult to diagnose correctly preoperatively. CT, angiography and MRI permit differentiation of the cavernous haemangioma from other tumours in this region and thereby contribute to a better surgical approach. The radiological features of cavernous haemangioma reported in the literature are summarised. Received: 24 February 1999 Accepted: 1 September 2000     

Fat in the normal cavernous sinus

Summary The cavernous sinuses of 17 patients examined by metrizamide CT cisternography with 1.5 mm-thick slices were reviewed. Most of the cavernous sinuses contained fatty components. Anterior lateral end and posterior end of the cavernous sinus are the common sites where the fat is visible.     

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus hypoplasia with contralateral cavernous sinus meningioma

We report a cavernous sinus meningioma encasing the cavernous internal carotid artery in a patient with congenital agenesis of the contralateral internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus hypoplasia.     

Computed tomography of intrathecal thorotrast

Summary Thorotrast is distributed in the cerebral subarachnoid space in a distinctive manner. Computed tomography is an excellent method for demonstrating this distribution.     

Percutaneous transvenous packing of cavernous sinus with Onyx for cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe the technique and results of the transvenous approach for occlusion of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with Onyx.

Methods

Eleven patients presenting with clinically symptomatic DAVFs, were treated between August 2005 and February 2007 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. We were able to navigate small hydrophilic catheters and microguidwires through the facial vein or inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) into the ipsilateral cavernous sinus. After reaching the fistula site the cavernous sinus was packed with Onyx or combining with detachable platinum coils.

Results

We were able to reach the fistula site and to achieve a good packing of Onyx or combining with coils within the arteriovenous shunting zone in 10 patients. The final angiogram showed complete occlusion of the arteriovenous fistula. Two (18.2%) patients developed a bradycardia during DMSO injection. No complications related to the approach were observed.

Conclusions

Transvenous occlusion of cavernous DAVFs is a feasible approach, even via facial vein or via IPS. Onyx may be another option for cavernous packing other than detachable platinum coils.     

Computed tomography and intracranial aspergillosis

Summary A case of aspergillosis of the central nervous system with multiple granulomas examined by computed tomography is reported. The findings are those of chronic mass lesions with and without calcium deposits. An associated cystic configuration probably is not specific for aspergillomas.     

Computed tomography of intramuscular myxoma

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in seven patients with intramuscular myxoma. All lesions were well demarcated, of homogeneous appearance and attenuation values ranging from 10 to 60 (HU). The tumor size, as estimated at CT, correlated well with the size of the surgical specimen, which is in contrast to the findings in some high grade malignant sarcomas.     

Computed tomography of stress fracture

An athletic young female developed gradual onset of pain in the right leg. Plain radiographs demonstrated solid periosteal reaction in the tibia compatible with stress fracture. She stopped sport activites but her pain continued. Follow-up radiographs of the tibia revealed changes suspicious for osteoid osteoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated periosteal reaction, but in addition, lucent fracture lines in the tibial cortex were evident. CT obviated the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures in this patient. In selected cases CT may be useful to confirm the diagnosis of stress fracture when plain radiographic or routine tomographic studies are not diagnostic.     

Capillary hemangioma of the sphenoid sinus with intrasellar and parasellar extensions

Capillary hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors usually diagnosed in infancy and involving skin and soft tissues. We report a rare case of an adult capillary hemangioma of the left sphenoid sinus extending into the intrasellar and parasellar regions. A 71-year-old woman presented with complaints of headaches and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2-hyperintense mass-like lesion involving the left posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and left cavernous sinus, that had extended into the intrasellar and parasellar regions. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed enhancing vessel-like structures within the lesion during the arterial phase, which were observed to expand further in the late phase of the examination. This characteristic feature indicated increased vascularity, suggesting the presence of a capillary hemangioma. The patient underwent endoscopic resection via the endonasal transpterygoid approach, and the lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as a capillary hemangioma. To aid diagnosis and clinical management, radiologists should be aware of the imaging findings related to capillary hemangiomas.     

Transvenous embolization of a dural arteriovenous fistula of the cavernous sinus through the contralateral pterygoid plexus

We report a new transvenous endovascular route for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas of the cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus was approached from the contralateral pterygoid plexus and embolization of a dural fistula was performed successfully with Guglielmi detachable coils. Received: 16 June 1997 Accepted: 6 August 1997     

MRI of infarction of a cavernous sinus tumor in Nelson's syndrome

We report the MRI appearances of an infarcted cavernous sinus tumor in a patient with Nelson's syndrome. Invasive tumors of the pituitary extending to the cavernous sinus are discussed and the role of MRI in preoperative investigation is highlighted.     

Wegener's granulomatosis with unusual cavernous sinus and sella turcica extension

Intracerebral extension of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is rare. We present a patient with oculomotor and trochlear nerve palsy with histologically proved WG. An MR examination revealed granulomatous tissue in nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses with meningeal infiltration, and uncommon penetration into cavernous sinus and sella turcica. The MR images before and during pharmacological therapy are presented. Received: 14 July 1998; Revision received: 12 October 1998; Accepted: 13 January 1999     

Frontal sinus parameters in computed tomography and sex determination

The frontal sinus is a sturdy part of the skull that is likely to be retrieved for forensic investigations. We evaluated frontal sinus parameters in paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images for sex determination. The study was conducted on 200 normal paranasal sinus CT images of 100 men and 100 women of Persian origin. We categorized the studied population into three age groups of 20–34, 35–49 and ⩾50 years. The number of partial septa in the right frontal sinus and the maximum height and width were significantly different between the two sexes. The highest precision for sex determination was for the maximum height of the left frontal sinus (61.3%). In the 20–34 years age-group, height and width of the frontal sinus were significantly different between the two sexes and the height of the left sinus had the highest precision (60.8%). In the 35–49 years age-group, right anterior-posterior diameter had a sex determination precision of 52.3%. No frontal sinus parameter reached a statistically significant level for sex determination in the ⩾50 years age-group. The number of septa and scallopings were not useful in sex determination. Frontal sinus parameters did not have a high precision in sex determination among Persian adults.     

Computed tomography in ophthalmology

Summary The practical value of density measurements with computed tomography of orbital lesions is demonstrated.