Sinusitis and the acute orbit in children

Acute orbital infection is an uncommon condition which is often secondary to acute sinusitis. Although it can present in any age group it is most prevalent in children and may cause impaired vision, blindness, intracranial complications and death. This paper documents the experience at the Royal Liverpool Childrens Hospital, Alder Hey, from 1973 to 1989. Clinical details were recorded retrospectively from the hospital case notes. Sixty-eight children had orbital sepsis of whom 30 had associated acute sinusitis. Of these 30 children, orbital sepsis was always unilateral with a preference for the left side; ten had diplopia of whom four had a sub-periosteal abscess which was subsequently drained. There were no serious complications although two children had diplopia for two to three months.