Superolateral subperiosteal orbital abscess complicating sinusitis in a child

Abstract

Orbital complications of sinusitis in children generally occur as a consequence of ethmoid sinusitis due to preferential spread across the lamina papyracea. A case is presented of a subperiosteal abscess (SPA) in the superolateral orbital wall complicating frontal sinusitis in a 6-year-old female. Congenital bony dehiscences exist in the lateral floor of the frontal sinus, which may allow direct spread of infection through to that region. While the general principles of managing orbital complications of sinusitis are applicable, the surgical approach for a SPA complicating frontal sinusitis differs from that of the typical medial SPA, and the clinician should be mindful of this variation when planning surgical treatment.