Lateral sinus pathology

Abstract

One hundred and thirty patients with acute and acute on chronic mastoiditis were managed at Groote Schuur Hospital between 1980 and 1984. Twenty-two (16.9 percent) had pathology of the lateral (sigmoid) sinus and 19 of these patients had cholesteatomas. Nine patients (40.9 per cent) had concomitant intradural sepsis and there were two deaths.The modern literature is reviewed and the pathology, presentation and management of lateral sinus pathology is discussed. This condition is rare and clinical features may range from subtle signs to gross toxaemia, torticollis and evidence of septic embolization. The otolaryngologist must be competent in diagnosing and treating this condition in all forms of its wide spectrum of presentation.

Lateral Dural Sinus Thrombosis in Childhood

“…None of our patients presented with clinical symptoms strongly indicative of DST. Similar findings were observed by Mathews 17 in a series of 3 pediatric and 19 adult patients. In all our children DST was diagnosed by CECT.…”

Lateral Sinus Thrombosis Associated With Mastoiditis and Otitis Media in Children

“…4,5 In rare cases, emboli may shower to distant locations, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. 6 Indeed, septic lateral sinus thrombosis was considered a uniformly fatal condition until the turn of the 20th century, when the first successful surgical interventions for the condition were performed. 1,7 Mortality rates for lateral sinus thrombosis in the modern era are lower but still range from 5% to 10%.…”

Acute On‐chronic Middle Ear Disease

“…The complications of mastoiditis may be similarly modified and, as a consequence, may be difficult to detect. 9 The variability of the clinical features is well illustrated by the cases. Case 1 presented with intense otalgia, Case 2 with a chronically discharging ear and Case 3 with a short history of pyrexia, malaise and vomiting.…”

“…The bony erosion caused by cholesteatoma may provide a route for secondary mastoiditis, whereas in its absence the infection may be restricted to an otitis media or not occur at all. The complications of mastoiditis may be similarly modified and, as a consequence, may be difficult to detect 9 …”