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

Abstract

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.

• Authors: I Samad, K Riding
• Journal: The Journal of otolaryngology (J Otolaryngol) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 400-3 (Dec 1991) ISSN: 0381-6605 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 1774796 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bacterial Infections (epidemiology, microbiology, therapy)
• British Columbia (epidemiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Ethmoid Sinusitis (complications)
• Female
• General Surgery
• Hospitals, Pediatric
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Orbital Diseases (epidemiology, microbiology, therapy)
• Referral and Consultation (statistics & numerical data)
• Retrospective Studies