Sinusitis and Carotid Artery Stroke

Abstract

The relationship between sinusitis and ischemic stroke is unexplored. The anatomic proximity between the paranasal sinuses and the internal carotid artery suggests that inflammation of the sinuses could easily extend to the intracranial vasculature. We report 4 patients with acute ischemic stroke and extensive disease of the paranasal sinuses. All patients had large vessel stroke involving the internal carotid artery territory. All patients had extensive disease of the sphenoid and other sinuses. The sinus disease was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. These case report observations suggest a relationship between inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, particularly sphenoid sinusitis, and ischemic stroke.

Pediatric internal carotid aneurysm as a complication of sphenoid sinusitis

“…This is because of the proximity of the sphenoid sinus to structures such as the cavernous sinus its contents, and the ICA. Due to this anatomic proximity between the paranasal sinuses and the internal carotid artery, the inflammation of the sinuses could easily extend to the intracranial vasculature [4]. The formation of internal carotid pseudoaneurysm is a feared complication of sphenoid sinusitis associated with ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic rupture, and it is commonly infectious in origin.…”

Dietary polyphenols affect MUC5AC expression and ciliary movement in respiratory cells and nasal mucosa

“…Occlusion of the carotid and basilar arteries in patients with sphenoid sinusitis has been reported. 14,22 Second, inflammation is currently accepted as playing a central role in atherosclerotic initiation, plaque rupture, thrombosis, and stroke. 23 One previous study revealed that retained sinus fluids and sinus mucosa in sinusitis contain the inflammatory and procoagulant cytokine interleukin-1.…”

“…10 In addition to the wellknown risk factors of stroke such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, and urbanization level, 11,12 some evidence supports the theory that inflammation and chronic infection may also play an important role in strokes. [13][14][15] A relationship between sinusitis and ischemic strokes has been reported, and the anatomic proximity of the paranasal sinuses and internal carotid artery suggests that inflammation of the sinuses could easily extend to the intracranial vasculature. [14][15][16][17] However, no previous studies with large patient samples have been conducted to evaluate the risk of stroke after sinusitis.…”

“…[13][14][15] A relationship between sinusitis and ischemic strokes has been reported, and the anatomic proximity of the paranasal sinuses and internal carotid artery suggests that inflammation of the sinuses could easily extend to the intracranial vasculature. [14][15][16][17] However, no previous studies with large patient samples have been conducted to evaluate the risk of stroke after sinusitis. The purpose of the current study was to test the hypothesis that rhinosinusitis is a risk factor for stroke, using a nationwide population-based Taiwanese database.…”

Transmural Arteritis with Subsequent Brain Infarct as a Rare Complication of Inflammatory Head and Neck Disease

“…Arteritis of the ICA or basilar artery with subsequent stroke is reported in single cases each [5][6][7]. We present three cases of brain ischemia due to an arteritis as a complication of skull base and maxillofacial infections.…”