THROMBOPHLEBITIS OF THE LATERAL SINUS

Abstract

Suppurative thrombophlebitis generally develops secondary to an adjacent suppurative focus, whether this be in the axilla, the thigh or the head. So far as the lateral sinus is concerned, the pathologic process begins with periphlebitis involving that part of the lateral or the sigmoid sinus or the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein which is in direct contact with infected tissue. If the periphlebitis with infection of the adventitia and penetration of the venous wall persists for a variable time, a thrombus forms. The thrombosis occurs secondary to infection of the venous wall and is not primary. Generally the formation of a thrombus results after the infection has reached the intima. It is part of the reparative process. In support of this concept Klemperer¹ reported a case of Neuhof's in which bacteria were found in the wall of the vein without any formation of a thrombus within the vein.