[Orbital complications of acute sinusitis].

OBJECTIVES: We investigated orbital complications of acute sinusitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 25 patients (13 males, 12 females; mean age 21 years; range 2-56 years) treated for orbital complications of acute sinusitis. The symptoms, physical findings, and prognosis of the patients were investigated. Cases were evaluated according to age, sex, etiologic factors, localization, treatment, morbidity, and mortality.

RESULTS: There were periorbital cellulitis in 20 patients (80%), orbital cellulitis in 2 patients (8%), and subperiosteal abscess in 3 patients (12%). In 5 of 9 cases who were above 16 years of age, a history of surgery and trauma were present. All the patients received high-dose intravenous antibiotic therapy. Three cases with subperiosteal abscess and 2 cases with orbital cellulitis underwent endoscopic surgery. Orbital complications recurred in two patients. There was no mortality or blindness after the treatment of orbital complications of acute sinusitis. Diplopia persisted only in two cases.

CONCLUSION: Orbital complications in adult patients are often related with trauma. The patients with orbital complications should be treated with aggressive parenteral antibiotics. Surgical treatment is indicated when subperiosteal orbital abscess, orbital cellulitis, and orbital abscess are seen.