Allergic rhinitis as a risk factor for orbital complication of acute rhinosinusitis in children.

The purpose of this article is to determine allergic rhinitis and age as potential risk factors for the development of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis in children. One hundred two children presenting with orbital swelling were investigated by computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses and the orbit as well as for underlying allergic rhinitis. Sixty (58.8%) patients had orbital complications of clinical and radiological acute rhinosinusitis. They were grouped accordingly: preseptal cellulitis (n = 24), periostitis (n = 10), and subperiosteal abscess (n = 26). No abscess within the orbit or cavernous sinus thrombosis was found. Thirty-four (56.7%) of the 60 patients underwent allergy investigation. Allergic rhinitis was found in 9 (64.3%) of 14 children with preseptal cellulitis, in 1 (25%) out of 4 children with periostitis, and in 13 (76.5%) out of 17 children with subperiosteal abscess. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was significantly higher in patients presenting in pollen season from February to August (17:4) than in patients presenting in the period between September and January (6:7). Thus, allergic rhinitis may be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis. According to our study population, age only influences the type of orbital complication of acute rhinosinusitis in the sense that older children are more likely to develop subperiosteal abscess, whereas younger children develop preseptal cellulitis.     

Orbital complications of ethmoiditis: B.C. Children's Hospital experience, 1982-89.

Orbital complications of ethmoiditis primarily affect children. Infection proceeds through contiguous spread to the orbit. We undertook a retrospective analysis of all children admitted to British Columbia Children's Hospital in Vancouver with a diagnosis of periorbital and orbital cellulitis due to ethmoiditis between 1982 and 1989. The majority of children presented with periorbital cellulitis, which resolved with aggressive parenteral antibiotic therapy. Five children (17%) progressed to subperiosteal abscess formation as documented by CT scan and required external ethmoidectomy as a drainage procedure. We conclude that early hospitalization and aggressive parenteral antibiotics are effective in resolving periorbital cellulitis. Surgical drainage is indicated when subperiosteal abscess is documented by CT scan. In our series, there were no cases of permanent visual deficit resulting from complications of ethmoiditis.     

The use of standardized orbital ultrasound in the diagnosis of sinus induced infections of the orbit in children: a preliminary report.

Infections of the orbit in children usually present as a complication of sinusitis and may result in blindness or even death. Orbital cellulitis (OC) and subperiosteal abscess (SPA) represent different pathologies within the spectrum of orbital infections. The differentiation between OC and SPA is important, since it implies two different therapeutic modalities. While SPA is usually treated by incision and drainage and parenteral antibiotics, OC may be treated with antibiotics alone. Contrast enhanced CT scan is commonly used in the diagnosis of orbital infections, but does not always prove accurate in differentiating between these two conditions. MRI is superior to CT in the resolution of soft tissue pathology and may be more precise in such situations, but is less available imaging tool outside North America and Europe. There have been a few reports in the early 1980's on the use of standardized orbital ultrasound (SOU) in these two conditions. We have used SOU in seven children with sinus induced orbital infections--four with SPA and three with OC. We reviewed our experience in these patients and compared the imaging characteristics of OC and SPA on SOU with those of conventional imaging modalities, used in orbital infections. In four of the cases, CT scan was inconclusive, while SUO was diagnostic. In this preliminary report, we conclude that SOU may be useful in the diagnosis of orbital infections.     

The role of C.T. scans in managing the orbital complications of ethmoiditis

Thirty-three cases of ethmoidities with orbital complications were reviewed to determine the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and the benefit of CT scans in planning treatment. Patients were classified according to the Schramm et al. 1982 criteria of orbital involvement with ethmoiditis: periorbital cellulitis with chemosis (PCC)-9, and orbital cellulitis (OC)-11, subperiosteal abscess (SPA)-9, and orbital abscess (OA)-4. These patients received CT scans acutely for diagnostic purposes and demonstrated an 84% accuracy with the final clinical groupings. Of 33 patients, 9 had a shift in clinical classification based on the CT scan result interpreted by the Radiology Department or surgical findings. There were no false positives in the periorbital or orbital cellulitis patients, and no false negatives in the subperiosteal and orbital abscess patients. Thus classification changes caused no change from medical to surgical treatment in any of the cases. The conclusion is that a knowledgeable clinical exam established the correct grouping in 70% of the patients versus 82% with the CT scan. An urgent CT scan is advised for patients in clinical groups SPA, OA, or cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) to determine the imminent need for surgery, as the cases may be underestimated. Patients with PC or PCC can be managed medically with elective CT scans not routinely indicated.     

Endoscopic surgery for the treatment of pediatric subperiosteal orbital abscess: A report of 10 cases

Introduction

The pediatric subperiosteal abscess is considered an infectious process characterized by an abscess pocket localized between the lamina papiracea and the periorbita. Usually the surgical management is used to drain the collection of pus.

Methods

Between January 2006 and January 2009, 10 patients of age under 18-year-old underwent through a transnasal endoscopic approach at the University of Bologna, Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital for the treatment of a subperiosteal orbital abscess. All these patients were taken to the operative room in order to drain the abscess only after that the CT scan was accomplished and it demonstrated the presence of a subperiosteal orbital abscess.

Results

The transnasal endoscopic approach was used alone in 9 cases while it was associated with an external approach in one case for the treatment of a superolateral based subperiosteal orbital abscess. In all cases the exudate was obtained during the surgical procedure for the microbiological examination, although only 2 out of 10 cases had positive abscess cultures for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Conclusions

The transnasal endoscopic approach is an effective surgical treatment to drain the collection of pus in all medially based subperiosteal orbital abscess, while it can be associated with an external approach for the treatment of a superolateral based subperiosteal orbital abscess.     

The vein of Labbe masquerading as an epidural abscess

The occipitotemporal vein (OTV) courses over the temporal lobe, connecting the superficial middle cerebral vein and the transverse sinus. This vein is rarely identifiable on computerized tomography (CT) scans and a large amount of contrast is needed to identify such a relatively small vessel. We present a 12-month-old male with acute coalescent mastoiditis and a subperiosteal abscess. An epidural abscess was suspected on pre-operative CT scan. No abscess was found on surgery. Based on the surgical finding, we determined that this misdiagnosis was due to a vascular variant, the occipitotemporal vein (vein of Labbe) that masqueraded as an abscess on the CT scan. Recognition of the vein of Labbe on CT scan is therefore essential for the appropriate management of otological and neurotological disease.     

Orbital wall thickness and the spread of infection from the paranasal sinuses

Ninety-three human skulls (80 adults and 13 children) have been examined and the extent of thin bone in the party walls between the orbit and the frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses has been assessed. Translucent bone is most often present in the lateral wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth and least often in the floor of the frontal sinus. In children such bone is present significantly less often in the roof of the maxillary sinus (P less than 0.001) than in adults. Computerized tomography scans and clinical data from 6 patients with orbital cellulitis were reviewed. In one of these an inferolateral subperiosteal abscess of the orbit was associated with a defect in the roof of the maxillary sinus. Two patients had a medial subperiosteal abscess associated with ethmoiditis and in one there was direct continuity between the abscess and the adjacent ethmoidal cells. In another case a superolateral abscess was demonstrated in continuity with a surgical defect in the floor of the frontal sinus. We conclude that the ethmoidal, frontal or maxillary sinuses may be sources of orbital infection and that spread occurs either by direct extension through the sinus wall or by local thrombophlebitis.     

Nuestra experiencia en el manejo de las complicaciones orbitarias en la rinosinusitis aguda

Background and objectiveThe spread of an infection from the paranasal sinuses is rare but severe. Between 4% and 20% of all rhinosinusitis can become complicated, orbital involvement being the most frequent (60-75%). Orbital complications are more common in children but more severe in adults. We aim to analyse the epidemiological characteristics of these patients and to propose a management algorithm.Materials and methodsWe carried out a retrospective review of 21 patients with orbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis diagnosed in the same institution from 2005 to 2018. The diagnosis was based on clinical history, endoscopic examination and imaging tests. All patients received an intravenous antibiotic and were assessed by ophthalmology. An immediate surgical treatment was performed in the case of an abscess or poor response to medical management.ResultsThe average age was 24 years. Fifty-two percent were males and 48% females. According to Chandler's classification, 43% (9/21) had preseptal cellulitis (7 adults and 2 children), 10% (2/21) orbital cellulitis (one adult and one child), 43% (9/21) subperiosteal abscess (2 adults and 7 children), there was one case of orbital abscess in an adult and there were no cases of cavernous sinus thrombosis. A CT scan was performed in all patients and the cases of subperiosteal or orbital abscess were treated surgically, except 2 paediatric patients (<4 years) with a small and medial subperiosteal abscess (<4 mm) who responded well to medical treatment. The surgical approach is performed by endonasal endoscopy, perforating the lamina papyracea in cases of subperiosteal abscess and also opening the periorbita in orbital abscess. It was combined with an external palpebral approach in the 4 cases that presented a superior or lateral abscess. Two young adults (10%) presented an intracranial complication concomitantly.ConclusionOrbital complications of acute rhinosinusitis are rare but potentially severe. It is important to be aware of and suspect them in order to act quickly. It is essential to define the location and extension of the infection for correct management, as well as multidisciplinary treatment. The surgical approach is performed by endonasal endoscopy. It is limited by abscesses located on the roof of the orbit or on the lateral wall, when a combined external palpebral approach is required.     

Subperiosteal orbital hematoma as a sinusitis complication

A case of subperiosteal orbital hematoma as a sinusitis complication--very rarely described in otolaryngological literature--is presented. Taking into account clinical examination and CT there was diagnosed subperiosteal orbital abscess but during surgery there was found hematoma. There has been discussed a clinical picture and a likely pathological mechanism of the complication as well as the performed surgical treatment.     

Orbital infection secondary to sinusitis in children: diagnosis and management.

A series of 18 children with orbital infection secondary to sinusitis is described. The presenting symptoms were headache and periorbital swelling but it was found to be impossible to determine the stage of the orbital infection on clinical grounds. CT scanning can accurately identify the presence of a sub-periosteal abscess but both axial and coronal sections may be needed to diagnose abscesses in the superomedial portion of the orbit. Cellulitis may be managed by antibiotic treatment alone, but if an abscess is present it should be drained immediately with a formal ethmoidectomy to decompress the orbit if there is any evidence of reduced visual acuity.     

Orbital infection secondary to sinusitis in children: diagnosis and management

A series of 18 children with orbital infection secondary to sinusitis is described. The presenting symptoms were headache and periorbital swelling but it was found to be impossible to determine the stage of the orbital infection on clinical grounds. CT scanning can accurately identify the presence of a sub-periosteal abscess but both axial and coronal sections may be needed to diagnose abscesses in the superomedial portion of the orbit. Cellulitis may be managed by antibiotic treatment alone, but if an abscess is present it should be drained immediately with a formal ethmoidectomy to decompress the orbit if there is any evidence of reduced visual acuity.     

儿童急性鼻窦炎眶并发症的临床表现及治疗

目的 探讨儿童急性鼻窦炎眶并发症的临床表现与治疗方法。 方法 回顾分析成武县人民医院耳鼻喉科2010年4月至2014年12月收治的16例急性鼻窦炎并发眶内感染患儿的临床资料。确诊后,对所有患儿行药物治疗,对于因眶蜂窝织炎并发视神经炎而致视力下降者行急诊手术治疗;对于眶骨膜下脓肿患儿,若药物治疗未见明显好转,立即行手术治疗。 结果 16例患儿中,7例眶骨膜下脓肿经鼻窦开放+骨膜下脓肿引流手术治疗后痊愈; 2例眶蜂窝织炎并发视神经炎而致视力下降的患儿,1例视力完全恢复,另1例仅有光感; 7例眶蜂窝织炎、眶隔前蜂窝织炎经药物治疗后痊愈。 结论 儿童急性鼻窦炎眶并发症临床表现复杂,病情进展快,应尽早确诊,尽早治疗。眶蜂窝织炎、眶隔前蜂窝织炎经药物治疗可以痊愈,眶骨膜下脓肿、眶蜂窝织炎并发视神经炎应尽快手术治疗。     

Orbital cellulitis revisited

Abstarct  Twenty patients with orbital cellulitis were treated over a seven-year period. All patients had a CT scan for localization and categorization of the disease. Fourteen of sixteen patients with post-septal involvement underwent surgical drainage and orbital exploration via an external ethmoidectomy approach. Two of these fourteen patients also had an optic nerve decompression. Clinical signs were found to be accurate in differentiating pre-septal from post-septal cellulitis tut were inadequate for further categorization of the type of post-septal cellulitis. All ten patients with pre-septal cellulitis or a post-septal subperiosteal abscess recovered with preservation of vision. Mild to moderate degrees of visual loss could be reversed with emergent surgical treatment even after 10 days from the onset of visual loss. Post-septal intraperiosteal orbital cellulitis and orbital abscess however resulted in significant permanent visual disability in eight of ten cases.     

Periorbital hematoma secondary to sinusitis in a child

Periorbital abscess secondary to sinusitis is a well-recognized entity in children. However, subperiosteal hematoma is extremely rare and has been reported in only four adult patients. This article presents the case of a 4-year-old girl with sinusitis, proptosis, and decreased visual acuity. Surgical exploration of the orbit revealed the presence of a large organizing subperiosteal hematoma that was drained. The presence of a periorbital hematoma should be suspected in patients with acute onset of proptosis and findings of a periorbital mass and sinusitis on computed tomographic scan.     

Computed tomographic versus surgical findings in complicated acute otomastoiditis

Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in planning surgery in cases of complicated middle ear infection. The purpose of this study was to determine, by comparison of radiologic and surgical findings, the diagnostic value of CT in complicated acute otomastoiditis. The study group consisted of 37 patients without a history of chronic ear disease. In this study, CT enabled correct diagnosis of 26 of 27 cases (96%) of subperiosteal abscess, 17 of 18 cases (94%) of mastoid cortex erosion in patients with subperiosteal abscess, and several intracranial complications, including epidural abscess, subdural empyema, and perisinus abscess. The CT scan produced overdiagnosis in some cases: sigmoid sinus thrombosis in 1 patient, mastoid cortex erosion in 2 children with subperiosteal abscess, and bone erosion toward the posterior cranial fossa in 1 patient with meningitis. My findings suggest that subperiosteal abscess is a disease of young children; however, when it develops in an older child, cholesteatoma should be suspected. Furthermore, acute mastoiditis complicated with facial nerve paralysis may be associated with cholesteatoma in 66% of cases. My experience showed that CT had a sensitivity of 97% and a positive predictive value of 94% in the diagnosis of complicated acute otomastoiditis.     

Orbital complications of acute pediatric rhinosinusitis: medical treatment versus surgery and analysis of the computer tomogram

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complications of acute pediatric rhinosinusitis is orbital complication. For subperiosteal abscess, in particular, there are no generally accepted therapy recommendations. PATIENTS: A retrospective study of 45 children with acute orbital rhinosinusitis complications, treated on an in-patient basis at the Department of ENT, Inselspital, University of Bern (1999-2004) is presented. The aim was to analyze conservative medical versus surgical treatment with regard to the individual stages of complications (according to the classification of Moloney, 1987) and, subsequently, to arrive at a therapy recommendation. RESULTS: All children with preseptal cellulitis (stage I), 80 % of children with radiological a subperiosteal phlegmona (Stage IIA) and 67 % of the children with radiological a subperiosteal abscess (Stage IIB) could be treated conservatively. The child with the orbital cellulitis (Stage III) was treated surgically. CONCLUSION: The preseptal cellulitis can be treated conservatively. We recommend an initial conservative therapy of 24 - 48 hours for subperiosteal phlegmona and subperiosteal abscess in the presence of normal vision. Surgical intervention should take place only if there is no improvement after this time interval. The orbital cellulitis should be treated primary surgically.     

Cosmetic considerations in surgery for orbital subperiosteal abscess in children: experience with a combined transcaruncular and transnasal endoscopic approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of a new surgical approach in children with acute sinusitis and medial orbital subperiosteal abscess. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Eleven children aged 6 weeks to 13 years with orbital subperiosteal abscess and acute sinusitis who met indication for surgery by visual compromise and/or refractory course to medical therapy. INTERVENTION: The medial orbital abscess was drained via a transcaruncular approach, which provided access to the medial orbital wall. An endoscopic ethmoidectomy was also performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Judgment of cosmetic appearance by surgeon and family, resolution of symptoms, length of hospital stay, and complications. RESULTS: All children had prompt resolution of symptoms after surgical drainage. Cosmetic outcome was excellent in all patients with no cutaneous scar or eyelid malposition. After edema and cellulitis had resolved, no family member could tell a difference in appearance between the eyes. No complications of these combined procedures were identified. One patient who had initially undergone transnasal endoscopic orbital drainage alone experienced a recurrence of infection 17 days later. He was then treated by the combined transcaruncular and endoscopic approach with prompt resolution of his symptoms. One of 4 patients treated initially with transcaruncular approach alone without endoscopic ethmoidectomy had recurrence of acute sinusitis and orbital abscess 16 months later and was successfully treated with an endoscopic approach. CONCLUSIONS: The combined endoscopic and transcaruncular surgical approach to medial orbital subperiosteal abscess and acute sinusitis provides a cosmetically superior outcome compared with standard orbital approaches requiring a cutaneous incision. The transcaruncular approach can be considered as an alternative or adjunct approach to the medial orbit, with the same cosmetic advantages as transnasal endoscopic drainage.     

Clinical implications of orbital cellulitis

Periorbital and orbital cellulitis are clearly two distinct disorders with different etiologies. Periorbital cellulitis is well-documented as a more common infectious process limited to the eyelids in the preseptal region. In contrast, orbital cellulitis represents a more severe, but less common, infection of the orbit posterior to the septum with or without subperiosteal abscess, orbital abscess, or cavernous sinus thrombosis. A retrospective review of the clinical and laboratory data of 137 cases of orbital and periorbital cellulitis was performed. Periorbital cellulitis was documented in 98 cases (71%), in contrast to orbital cellulitis which was noted in 39 (28%) patients. All patients with orbital cellulitis received intravenous antibiotics, however, surgical therapy was necessary for progression of orbital cellulitis in 49% of patients. The majority of patients underwent incision and drainage of an abscess in the orbit. Complications as a result of orbital cellulitis occurred in nine (23%) of the patients. A distinction is made between the clinical entity of periorbital cellulitis and orbital cellulitis. Separating these clinical entities on the basis of physical examination and radiographic studies is important because the medical and surgical management of these two disease processes is different.     

The modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure in the treatment of complicated chronic frontal sinusitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure in the management of complicated frontal sinus disease which has breached the confines of the sinus walls and extended into the cranial cavity or orbit. Fourteen patients with radiological evidence of 17 complications of frontal sinus disease presented over a 23-month period. CT scan and MRI scans revealed the presence of posterior table erosion and extension of the frontal sinus disease into the anterior cranial fossa in 10 patients. In addition, seven patients had intraorbital complications, with three patients having both intracranial and orbital complications. All patients underwent a modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure as part of the management of the complication. In addition, one patient required an orbital abscess drainage and repair of an encephalocele, with a second patient requiring drainage of an orbital subperiosteal abscess. At follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic and had patent frontal sinus ostia. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 38 months with a median of 25 months. Three patients required a revision of their frontal ostium. Two patients had allergic fungal sinusitis with aggressive polyp recurrence and ostial re-stenosis while one patient developed recurrent orbital infections from a retained frontal sinus cell. Currently, all have patent ostia, with an average size of 14.6 x 11 mm. The modified endoscopic Lothrop procedure is an effective form of treatment in the management of complicated frontal sinus disease. The results are comparable to those achieved with other surgical approaches such as the osteoplastic flap with obliteration.     

Orbital complications of acute sinusitis: comparison of computed tomography scan and surgical findings.

The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing an abscess from cellulitis in children who present with orbital manifestations of paranasal sinus infection remains in question. In this 10-year retrospective study, CT results are compared with surgical findings in 19 patients with orbital complications who underwent surgical exploration within 24 hours of their CT scans. Fifteen of the 19 CT scan interpretations indicated abscesses that were verified intraoperatively. Two patients had negative surgical explorations despite CT interpretations predicting abscesses. An abscess was also surgically documented in 1 of 2 patients whose preoperative scans indicated cellulitis alone. We conclude that the correlation between radiologic and operative findings in 16 of these 19 cases, although not absolute, does substantiate the use of CT scanning as a therapeutic guide in children presenting with orbital disease secondary to paranasal sinusitis.