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Complications of acute frontal sinusitis: a retrospective study

Lookup NU author(s): Wolfgang Issing

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Abstract

Even though being a rare condition in the era of antibiotic treatment, complications of acute frontal sinusitis still pose a potentially life-threatening problem. We present a clinical case series using a combined surgical approach. Within a 7 year period, all patients with a suppurative complication of an acute frontal sinusitis were included into this retrospective study and evaluated concerning histories, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and achieved outcomes. Twelve patients (11-74 years) were identified; this corresponds to 0.3% of all patients that have undergone paranasal sinus surgery and 15.4% of all patients with infectious complications of sinusitis. The cases could be subdivided as follows: intracranial complications (4/12), osteomyelitis of the frontal bone (4/12), frontal/orbital soft tissue involvement (3/12) and endoluminal empyema (1/12). These were all correctly diagnosed by CT and (especially in the cases of intracranial complications) MRI. The microbiological spectrum comprised mostly non-multiresistant Staphylococci and Streptococci. All patients received aggressive antibiotic and combined surgical treatment. Within a mean follow up period of 32 months, the disease-related mortality and the rate of severe long-term ailment was 0%. If detected and treated early, both long-term morbidity and mortality can be minimised. A close cooperation with the related specialties (neurosurgery, ophthalmology, radiology) is thereby of utmost importance.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Betz CS, Issing W, Matschke J, Kremer A, Uhl E, Leunig A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

Year: 2008

Volume: 265

Issue: 1

Pages: 63-72

ISSN (print): 0937-4477

ISSN (electronic): 1434-4726

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00405-007-0411-0

DOI: 10.1007/s00405-007-0411-0

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