Cavernous Sinus Tumor: Symptoms, Risks And Treatment | Dr. Pramod Chaurasia

 What Is Cavernous Sinus? 

 

The cavernous sinus is one of the most important drainage pathways for the brain located in the middle. It not only receives venous tissue from the brain but also receives tributaries from the facial parts. 

  

It is located on each side of the pituitary fossa and body of the sphenoid bone between the endosteal and meningeal layers of the dura. It is expanded from the apex of the orbit to the apex of the petrous temporal bone.

This organ's primary function is to drain blood from the orbits via the ophthalmic veins and the anterior parts of the brain. 

Can Cavernous Sinus Tumors Be Cancerous? 

 

This is one of those tumors in the human body which are benign but need immediate therapy or removal. This is a slow-growing tumor that can cause several life-threatening health issues. 

 

What Are The Risks Of Having A Cavernous Sinus Tumor?  

·        This type of tumor causes gradual ophthalmoplegia (Paralysis of muscles of the eye surrounding areas)   

 

·        If not treated within time, it may eventually cause compression of the chiasma. It causes vision loss. 

 

·        If not treated promptly, the tumor will start creating pressure on other brain organs around the Cavernous sinus area, and the problems will increase. 

 

·        This affects the visual impulse of both nasal retinas.

 

It is important to remove the tumor as soon as possible. 

  

Symptoms Of Having A Cavernous Sinus Tumor

 There are several symptoms of having a Cavernous sinus tumor. Some of them are mentioned below.

·        Severe headache 

·        Random tearing

·        Swelling, redness, or irritation around one or both eyes

·        Pain in eyes

·        Drooping eyelids

·        Inability to move the eye

·        High fever

·        Often fits

·        Pain or numbness around the face

·        Fatigue

·         Partial vision loss

·        Double vision

·        Mental confusion can happen in any situation

  

If you are facing sudden vision loss that stays for a few seconds to a few minutes or pain and numbness around your eyes or other facial parts, it is high time you should consult a doctor, or your vision can be damaged permanently. You can consult Dr. Pramod Chaurasia for expert support.

 

Treatment Of Cavernous Sinus Tumor

  

Both radiation treatments and surgery can be done to get rid of this tumor. It depends on the size and characteristics of the tumor, so understanding whether it can be cured with radiation or surgery is important. 

The patient must have an MRI or CT scan to determine the size and location of the tumors.

Usually, doctors suggest radiation therapy at first if the tumor can be cured by that. When it comes to surgery, cavernous sinus exploration is the most common surgery, which has a pretty high morbidity rate and can be performed only by an expert neurosurgeon. On the other hand, if the tumor can be removed easily, doctors may suggest a radical tumor resection. It is a complex process, and the surgery can take something between 4 to 7 hours. Make sure to undergo the surgery only under expert surveillance. You can consider Dr. Pramod Chaurasia as he is one of the best neurosurgeons in the country. 

Surgery is very complicated when it comes to the Cavernous sinus area of the brain. That's why most of the time, doctors try to reduce the tumor by using radiation. Though radiation has its side effects, it is less complicated than surgery.