Bilateral cavernous sinus syndrome in dogs: 6 cases (1999-2004)

摘要

Cavernous sinus syndrome (CSS) is a clinical disorder characterized by dysfunction of many of the cranial nerves (CNs) that course in intimate association with the cavernous sinuses, including the oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), abducens nerve (CN VI), and the maxillary and ophthalmic branches of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). Because CN III, CN IV, and CN VI provide innervation to the extraocular musculature and the parasympathetic efferent fibers of CN III are responsible for pupillary constriction, the most common clinical manifestations of CSS are external and internal ophthalmoparesis, ptosis, and mydriasis. Sensory deficits that are commonly seen include reduced or absent corneal sensation and periorbital and nasofacial hypalgesia and are attributable toinvolvement of the ophthalmic and maxillary branches of CN V, respectively. Because postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers also lie in close proximity to the cavernous sinus, CSS can also be associated with signs of oculosympa-thetic denervation. Diagnostic imaging studies of the brain and orbits are usually needed to differentiate CSS from retrobulbar diseases involving the orbital fissure, which can cause similar clinical signs.