Clinical analysis of orbital complications of acute sinusitis in children and adults

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the common types of orbital complication in children and adults and to compare the symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of children with those of adults. Methods: Retrospective review of patients treated for orbital complications from sinusitis at the Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University Hospital, Suwon, Korea, between March 1998 and July 2003 yielded 34 patiets. Symptoms, duration of treatment, treatment modality, prognosis, and CT findings were analyzed. Results: Twenty-four children were younger than 17 years and 10 were younger than 7. Preseptal cellulites were 8 (33.3%) in children and 16 (60.0%) in adults. Subperiosteal abscess were 10 (41.7%) in children and 2 (20.0%) in adults. Orbital cellulites were 6 (25.0%) in children and 2(20.0%) in adults. Lid swelling, diplopia and limit of motion were observed 24/24(100%), 4/24(16.6%), in children and 10/10(100%), 2/10(20.0%) in adults. Medical treatment was done only 17/22(70.8%) in children, 6/10(60.0%) in adults. Surgical treatment was done 7/24(29.2%) in children and 4/10(40.0%) in adults. Conclusions: Orbital complications of children are more severe than those of adults. Postseptal cellulitis type of orbital complications are much more in children than adults. Orbital complications of children can be more conservatively treated than adults.