Carotid artery occlusion due to bacterial paranasal sinusitis

Abstract

Complications of paranasal sinusitis still continue to be a serious health problem. We present an orbita-related complication of sinusitis in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. It was not a rhinocerebral mucormycosis, but a bacterial sinusitis-induced development of left cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and carotid artery occlusion. We discuss the diagnosis, surgical options, and clinical outcome.