Cavernous Sinus

At CHI St. Vincent’s Arkansas Neuroscience Institute, we have developed the most advanced treatment for cavernous sinus patients. We are one of the few places in the world where microsurgical cures for secreting pituitary adenomas of the cavernous sinus have been achieved. When you come to CHI St. Vincent, you will see a multi-disciplinary team that will provide the best treatment for your patients in a positive environment.

Tumors such as meningioma, chordoma, and hemangioma can grow in the cavernous sinus itself, and other tumors may extend to invade the cavernous sinus.

Located on either side of the sella turcica in a hidden location in the skull base that makes it difficult to approach lesions involving the cavernous sinus safely.

It composes of venous channels and pockets surrounding the carotid artery before it enters to the intradural cavity. The sixth nerve is inside the sinus crossing over the carotid artery, and the oculomotor, and trochlear nerves; and the first and second division of the trigeminal nerves are parts of the lateral and
superior walls of the sinus. The pituitary gland and optic nerves are in close proximity and the sinus itself is covered laterally by the dura of the temporal lobe and superiorly by the anterior clinoid.

This deep location and complex anatomy of the cavernous sinus drove surgeons away from performing surgery on pathologies involving the cavernous sinus to the extent where some called it “no man’s land” leaving only a few in the world who perform surgery on the cavernous sinus.

Here at the Arkansas Neuroscience Institue we have made surgery of the cavernous sinus simple as we developed new techniques to control the bleeding from the sinus, preserving the anatomical and vascular structures involved and have converted the “no man’s land” to everybody’s playground.