Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis complicated by occlusion of the internal carotid artery and multiple embolic strokes after surgery of an anorectal abscess: a clinical chameleon.

Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus (CST) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition mostly caused by facial or ear, nose, and throat infections. Anatomic structures in vicinity of the cavernous sinus are thereby susceptible to inflammatory damage. In particular nervous system structures are almost regularly affected; however, only few authors reported severe involvement of the internal carotid artery (ICA).