Improvements in technique developed over a series of 500 orbital venograms--cavernous sinograms.

A technique of orbital venography/cavernous sinography has been developed during a personal series of 500 examinations. By bare finger palpation anterior to the hair line a frontal vein was located and cannulated in all but one of the last 270 cases. Rubber bands and swab compression were used to dilate the frontal veins and subsequently to direct contrast to the ophthalmic veins without requiring help from the patient or an assistant. The popularity of the examination in this Institute is a reflection not only of the contribution it has made to diagnosis and management, but also of the success rate achieved and of its acceptability to patients.