Abnormality in the cavernous sinus in three patients with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome: MRI and CT findings

Abstract

Three patients with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) were examined using computed tomography (CT), orbital venography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT of the brain showed no definite abnormality in two patients, right optic nerve enlargement and an abnormal area around the orbital apex in one patient. Orbital venography showed an occlusion of the superior opthalmic vein in one of three patients. MRI showed an abnormal soft tissue area in the cavernous sinus, with intermediate to high signal intensity on T1- or intermediate weighted images. There was clinical improvement following corticosteroid therapy and the abnormal soft tissue on MRI decreased in volume and in signal intensity, although this was equivocal in one patient. Thus MRI proved to be useful in demonstrating lesions in the cavernous sinus in patients with THS.