Silent threat of isolated sphenoid sinus tuberculosis resulting in blindness and ophthalmoplegia.

A diabetic woman in her fifties presented with a sudden onset of failing vision and diplopia involving the right eye for two days, along with fever and headache. Radiological investigations revealed right sphenoid sinusitis along with inflammation around the right orbital apex and optic nerve. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery, with orbital and optic nerve decompression improved the ocular movements, but not the visual acuity. Histopathology was suggestive of a granulomatous inflammatory lesion, and high-resolution computed tommography (HRCT) of the thorax revealed lung lesions suggestive of an old tubercular infection, and antitubercular treatment (ATT) was then initiated.At the end of two months of ATT, there was complete resolution of ophthalmoplegia, relative afferent pupillary defect, direct and consensual light reflex however, failure of improvement in her visual acuity, indicated damage to the optic nerve.Extrapulmonary tuberculosis involving an isolated sphenoid sinus is rare and elusive. Prompt radiological investigations, followed by orbital decompression and ATT, provide the best possible outcomes.

Visual Acuity Impairment from Inflammatory Isolated Sphenoid Sinus Disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To investigate the treatment outcomes and determinants of prognosis in patients experiencing visual acuity (VA) deterioration due to inflammatory isolated sphenoid sinus disease (ISSD) who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery (EES). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with 14 lesions treated with EES between March 2010 and April 2022 were included. Evaluation included improvements in VA using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) scale, resolution rates of associated symptoms, and identification of factors predicting VA recovery. A literature review was conducted to assess the outcomes for ISSD-related VA impairments. RESULTS: The most common etiology is mycetoma (n=5), followed by an equal representation of mucocele and sphenoiditis (n=4). The mean interval from symptom onset to intervention was 4.7 months, with an average follow-up duration of 14.4 months. Seven eyes exhibited preoperative VA of 2.1 LogMAR or worse, with diplopia/ptosis (n=8) and headache (n=5) being the predominant co-occurring symptoms. After surgery, all ancillary symptoms improved, with an overall VA recovery rate of 87.5% (improvement more than 0.2 logMAR units). Mucocele exhibited the best improvements, whereas sphenoiditis showed the least progress (p=0.021). Poor baseline VA (p=0.026) and combined diplopia/ptosis (p=0.029) were identified as negative prognostic factors for VA recovery. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a favorable prognosis for VA recovery following EES in patients with inflammatory ISSDs, with response variations based on disease entity. However, further research is needed to personalize therapeutic strategies for enhanced outcomes.

Visual function loss in fungal sphenoid sinusitis: clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Potentially fatal fungal sphenoid sinusitis (FSS) causes visual damage. However, few studies have reported on its visual impairment and prognosis. Five hundred and eleven FSS patients with ocular complications treated at Beijing Tongren Hospital were recruited and clinical features and visual outcomes were determined. Thirty-two of the 511 patients (6%) had visual impairment, with 13 and 19 patients having invasive and noninvasive FSS, respectively. Eighteen patients (56.25%) had diabetes and 2 patient (6.25%) had long-term systemic use of antibiotics (n = 1) and corticosteroids (n = 1). All patients had visual impairment, which was more severe in invasive FSS than in noninvasive FSS. Bony wall defects and sclerosis were observed in 19 patients (59.38%), and 11 patients (34.38%) had microcalcification in their sphenoid sinusitis on computed tomography (CT). After a 5-year follow-up, three patients (9.38%) died. Patients with noninvasive FSS had a higher improvement rate in visual acuity than their counterparts. In the multivariate analysis, sphenoid sinus wall sclerosis on CT was associated with better visual prognosis. FSS can cause vision loss with persistent headaches, particularly in those with diabetes. CT showed the sphenoid sinus wall sclerosis, indicating a better visual prognosis in FSS with visual impairment.

Optic Neuritis Related to Chronic Sphenoid Sinusitis as an Uncommon Cause of Vision Loss: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Optic neuritis is a rare but possible complication of sphenoid sinusitis. CASE REPORT We present a case of a young woman with recurrent optic neuritis associated with chronic sphenoid sinusitis. A 29-year-old woman with visual impairment of the left eye to Snellen distance best-corrected visual acuity (DBCVA) of 0.5 and migraine headaches accompanied by vomiting and dizziness reported to the ophthalmic emergency room. The preliminary diagnosis was demyelinating optic neuritis. On head computed tomography, a polypoid lesion of the sphenoid sinus was found and qualified for elective endoscopic treatment. During a 4-year follow-up, evaluation of DBCVA, fundus appearance, visual field, ganglion cells layer (GCL), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and ganglion cells and visual pathway function (pattern electroretinogram - PERG, pattern visual evoked potentials - PVEPs) were performed. Four years after the occurrence of the initial symptoms, surgical drainage of the sphenoid sinus was performed, which revealed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate and a sinus wall defect on the left side around the entrance to the visual canal. After surgery, headaches and other neurological symptoms resolved, but DBCVA deteriorated in the left eye to finger counting/hand motion, partial atrophy of the optic nerve developed, the visual field defect progressed to 20 central degrees, GCL and RNFL atrophy appeared, and deterioration of ganglion cells and visual pathway function were observed. CONCLUSIONS In patients with optic neuritis and atypical headaches, sphenoid sinusitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Delayed laryngological intervention can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve.

Cavernous sinus and jugular thromboses, base of skull osteomyelitis and cranial nerve palsies: catastrophic complications of sphenoid sinusitis.

Sphenoid sinusitis is a clinically important entity as it may be associated with catastrophic complications including cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST), cerebral abscess or infarction, meningitis, base of skull osteomyelitis and cranial nerve palsies. We report a case of occult sphenoid sinusitis presenting as Streptococcus intermedius bacteraemia, bilateral jugular vein and CST, cranial nerve palsy and base of skull osteomyelitis.

A rare case of headache in a 4-year-old child: sphenoiditis.

BACKGROUND: Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis is an uncommon cause of headaches in children and adolescents. Recognizing the condition on physical examination alone can be challenging, and delayed diagnosis often occurs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-year-old child presented with symptoms of headache, fever, and vomiting. Nasal endoscopy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to confirm the diagnosis of isolated sphenoiditis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and steroids. However, the patient developed meningoencephalitis as a complication of the untreated isolated sphenoiditis. CONCLUSION: Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Adjunctive imaging and prompt treatment are essential to prevent such complications in children and adolescents. This case highlights the importance of considering isolated sphenoiditis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric headaches and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

Bilateral Orbital Apex Syndrome Related to Sphenoid Fungal Sinusitis.

Orbital apex syndrome (OAS) is a rare condition that usually occurs due to damage to surrounding inner and surrounding bone tissue. Orbital apex syndrome may result from a variety of conditions that cause damage to the superior orbital fissure and to the optic canal leading to optic nerve (II) dysfunction. We recently experienced a rare case of sphenoidal Aspergillosis, which damaged the adjacent cavernous sinus structures and led to the definite symptom of bilateral OAS in a 77-year-old male. We present this rare case with a brief review of these disease's entities.

Lung aspergilloma with pituitary invasive aspergillosis presenting as headache and hyponatraemia.

Fungal infections involving the pituitary gland are rare and can be life threatening. A 75-year-old man with hypertension and diabetes mellitus presented with headache and hyponatraemia. Imaging study showed right upper lung mass, and mass resection showed aspergilloma without tissue invasion on histology. The patient developed visual impairment a few weeks later, and MRI of the brain revealed bilateral sphenoid sinusitis and pituitary invasion. The trans-sphenoidal biopsy confirmed invasive Aspergillus infection. His sphenoidal sinuses were endoscopically debrided, and he was treated with oral voriconazole. Pituitary aspergillosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with lung aspergilloma with headache and sinusitis. Prompt biopsy and antifungal treatment are important due to the high mortality rate of the infection.

Sphenoid sinusitis complicated by extensive septic thrombosis after coiling of a ruptured intracranial aneurism.

We report here the case of a 40-year-old man who presented with sphenoid sinusitis complicated by jugular and cerebral venous thrombosis and intracranial infection 6 weeks after coiling of an anterior choroidal artery aneurysm. The pathogeny of this unusual and severe complication is discussed.

Secondary Pituitary Abscess Inside Adenoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary abscesses within pre-existing pituitary conditions, such as craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma, or Rathke cleft cyst, are quite rare. A case of pituitary abscess secondary to adenoma is presented, and the literature is reviewed. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 11-year-old boy presented with a 3-day history of sudden-onset headache and visual loss. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a sellar region lesion with intralesional hemorrhage. Preoperative diagnosis was pituitary adenoma with apoplexy. An endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach was used for emergent total tumor resection. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma with apoplexy and inflammation, and microbiologic examination was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary pituitary abscess is a rare entity, and preoperative diagnosis is challenging. The treatment strategy includes prompt surgical resection and drainage of the abscess, followed by prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Trombosis del seno cavernoso derecho secundaria a rinosinusitis esfenoidal: reporte de caso / Right cavernous sinus thrombosis secondary to sphenoidal rhinosinusitis: case report

RESUMEN La rinosinusitis bacteriana aguda es la infección de la mucosa nasal y de senos paranasales, que se manifiesta con congestión nasal, rinorrea purulenta y fiebre, de curso generalmente autolimitado. La trombosis del seno cavernoso (TSC) es una complicación poco frecuente, que se asocia a compromiso del seno esfenoidal y etmoidal, manifestándose clínicamente con cefalea, fiebre, alteración de pares craneanos y síntomas oculares. Ante su sospecha el estudio imagenológico es fundamental. En estos exámenes se debe buscar un defecto de llene en el seno cavernoso comprometido. El tratamiento debe iniciarse de forma precoz y contempla: antibioticoterapia, drenaje quirúrgico del seno afectado y anticoagulación. Se presenta a un paciente pediátrico masculino con TSC derecha posterior a una rinosinusitis esfenoidal no tratada, que respondió favorablemente al tratamiento. Se describe la clínica y manejo de esta patología, que presenta alta morbimortalidad, y que puede disminuirse considerablemente con un tratamiento precoz y agresivo.

ABSTRACT Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis is the infection of the nasal and paranasal mucous membrane, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent rhinorrhea and fever, usually self-limiting. Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare complication, which is associated with sphenoid and ethmoid sinus involvement, clinically manifest with headache, fever, cranial nerve involvement and ocular symptoms. When suspected, imaging studies will confirm the clinical impression. They will show abnormal flow parameters in the compromised cavernous sinus. The treatment has to start as soon as possible and consists in broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics, surgical drainage of the site of the infection and anticoagulation. We present a patient with a right CST secondary to a non-treated sphenoidal sinusitis, that responded favorably to treatment. The clinical and management of this pathology is described, which presents a high morbidity and mortality that can be reduced considerably with an early and aggressive treatment.