Neuro: cavernous sinus syndrome: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Neuro: cavernous sinus syndrome

Sample item

A patient has a left ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, loss of sensation on the forehead and cheek, and a Horner syndrome with proptosis. Which structure is involved?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Left cavernous sinus

The cavernous sinus contains cranial nerves III, IV, VI, V1 and V2 and the sympathetic plexus around the internal carotid artery. A lesion produces combined palsies, trigeminal sensory loss and Horner syndrome. Causes are thrombosis, carotid aneurysm, CCF and tumours.

Option by option

  • A. Left orbital apex only

    An orbital apex lesion also affects the optic nerve and spares V2 and sympathetic fibres.

  • B. Left optic chiasm

    A chiasmal lesion causes field defects.

  • C. Left cavernous sinus (correct)

    Correct. Multiple cranial nerve palsies and Horner point to the cavernous sinus.

  • D. Right occipital cortex

    A right occipital lesion gives homonymous field loss only.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is C, Left cavernous sinus. The cavernous sinus contains cranial nerves III, IV, VI, V1 and V2 and the sympathetic plexus around the internal carotid artery.

Why is "Left orbital apex only" not the answer?

An orbital apex lesion also affects the optic nerve and spares V2 and sympathetic fibres.

Why is "Left optic chiasm" not the answer?

A chiasmal lesion causes field defects.

Why is "Right occipital cortex" not the answer?

A right occipital lesion gives homonymous field loss only.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuro: cavernous sinus syndrome in Ophthalmology. A lesion produces combined palsies, trigeminal sensory loss and Horner syndrome. Causes are thrombosis, carotid aneurysm, CCF and tumours.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neuro: cavernous sinus syndrome?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.