Cavernous sinus thrombosis CT scan

On noncontrast CT, thrombosis of the cavernous sinus can be appreciated as increased density. The introduction of intravenous contrast can reveal filling defects within the cavernous sinus as well as thickening of the superior ophthalmic vein. Nevertheless, CT scan findings may be subtle, and a negative CT scan cannot rule out CST reliably when the clinical suspicion is high.

The post contrast computerized tomography (CT) scan on the left shows poor enhancement of the cavernous sinus bilaterally. The uncontrasted CT scan on the right shows subtle hypodensity in the region of the cavernous sinus. There is also associated opacification of the sphenoid sinus and posteriorly situated ethmoidal air cells.