Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis in children

Eight Thai patients less than 15 years of age who were diagnosed with caver nous sinus thrombophlebitis at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand over the past 30 years were reviewed retrospectively. The predisposing infectio ns and causative microorganisms were similar to previous reports in childre n and adults. Despite severe neurologic dysfunction during admission, inclu ding blindness, there was neither death nor severe permanent deficit found in the majority of the patients. Only one patient experienced mild hemipare sis caused by cerebral infarction, which was secondary to this condition. E arly recognition of this condition, the appropriate selection of empirical antibiotic therapy, and the awareness of associated complication were the k ey factors leading to excellent outcome. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.