Orbital complication of acute ethmoiditis: A Tunisian paediatric cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The anatomical and developmental particularities of sinus cavities in paediatric population lead acute ethmoiditis to be the earliest form of sinusitis in children. Orbital complications are frequent and could lead to visual and neurological impairment. This study investigated the clinical, biological and radiological features of orbital complications. We identified the predictive factors of severe ophthalmological lesions and/or associated cerebral complications of acute ethmoiditis. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross sectional study included all patients identified as having orbital extension of acute ethmoiditis in the database of a single academic paediatric care centre over a period of 14 years. All orbital and cerebral Scans of the included patients were reviewed and the cohort was classified using Chandler's classification as having less severe lesions (Chandler's 1 and 2) or more serious lesions (Chandler's 3, 4 and 5). RESULTS: In total, 16 patients (12 girls and 4 boys) were included among 39 consecutives cases of ethmoiditis recessed with a complication rate of 41%. Average consultation delay was 4.88 days. The mean age was 4.37 years. Fever was objectified in 13 cases (81%). Six patients (37.5%) had exophthalmos. Orbital extension spectrum was: stage I (n = 4, 25%), stage II (n = 4, 25%), stage III (n = 6, 37.5%), stage IV (n = 1, 6.5%), stage V (n = 1, 6.5%) and intra cranial extension was associated in two cases. Univariate analysis showed that fever, exophthalmos, ophthalmoplegia, positive CRP, age and white blood cells count were not associated with more severe lesions in the CT scan. Initially, all children received intravenous antibiotic treatment. Association of multiple antibiotics was prescribed in 75% of the cases. With 21.07 days ±â€¯5.51 days as a total treatment duration. Only Four patients underwent surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Orbital complications of ethmoiditis are frequent. No clinical or biological criteria seem to predict the severity of orbital lesions. Both orbital and brain CT scan could help detect eventual complications on time to adapt antibiotic treatment and eventually bring forward surgical intervention.

Anatomical variation of the pneumatized superior turbinate and its impact on endoscopic sinus surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis.

PURPOSE: The posterior ethmoid sinus is adjacent to important structures, such as the orbit, optic nerve, skull base, and ostium of the sphenoid sinus. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pneumatization of the superior turbinate (ST) and its basal lamella, and of the position of the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, on opening of the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses. METHODS: On axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography images, 394 sinuses of 197 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo, Japan, were classified according to the presence or absence of pneumatization of the ST and its basal lamella. The basal lamella of the ST was classified separately into the vertical and horizontal portions. We examined whether the classification of the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus was associated with the structure of the ST. RESULTS: Pneumatization was observed in the ST in 28 sinuses (7.1%), in the vertical portion of the basal lamella in 127 (32.2%), and in the horizontal portion of the basal lamella in 90 (22.8%). Pneumatization in the horizontal portion of the basal lamella was significantly more common in the anterior sphenoidal wall classified as optic-canal type. CONCLUSION: Consideration should be given to the pneumatization of the ST and its basal lamella and optic-canal-type anterior sphenoidal wall, because these reduce the volume of the posterior-most ethmoid cell and may increase the risk of damaging the skull base and optic nerve.

Orbital necrotizing fasciitis and osteomyelitis caused by arcanobacterium haemolyticum: a case report.

The facial region is infrequently affected by necrotizing infections. Orbital necrotizing infections are even rarer, seen following trauma, local skin infection, and sinusitis. The authors report a unique case of orbital necrotizing fasciitis and osteomyelitis resulting from Arcanobacterium Haemolyticum ethmoid sinusitis. No prior occurrences of Arcanobacterial species orbital necrotizing fasciitis/osteomyelitis have been reported.A 16-year-old boy presented to the ER with a 3-day history of fever, chills, headache, and sinus pressure. CT scan revealed soft tissue swelling of the right orbit, forehead, and ethmoid sinusitis. Within 24 hours of admission, he suffered rapidly progressive swelling and erythema of the right orbit and forehead with diminished visual acuity, despite broad-spectrum antibiotics. Orbital exploration revealed frankly necrotic fascia and periosteum along the superior aspect. Lateral canthotomy, cantholysis, decompression of the optic nerve, and soft tissue debridement with bone biopsy was performed. Operative specimens isolated Arcanobacterium Haemolyticum. Pathologic examination revealed right orbital osteomyelitis.

Additive Manufacturing of Medical Models--Applications in Rhinology.

In the paper we are introducing guidelines and suggestions for use of 3D image processing SW in head pathology diagnostic and procedures for obtaining physical medical model by additive manufacturing/rapid prototyping techniques, bearing in mind the improvement of surgery performance, its maximum security and faster postoperative recovery of patients. This approach has been verified in two case reports. In the treatment we used intelligent classifier-schemes for abnormal patterns using computer-based system for 3D-virtual and endoscopic assistance in rhinology, with appropriate visualization of anatomy and pathology within the nose, paranasal sinuses, and scull base area.

Rhino-orbital fungal infection: two cases report.

Rhino-orbital fungal infections are serious and life threatening complications of immunocompromised host. The authors reported two cases of rapid progressive proptosis and eyelid necrosis of immunocompromised patients who suffered from highly malignant T-celled lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and congenital heart disease with multiple anomalies. Although early diagnosis was made and prompt treatments including medical and surgical interventions were performed, both patients died.

Pseudodacryocystitis and nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to ethmoiditis.

A 23-year-old woman presented with clinical symptoms suggestive of acute dacryocystitis. She had no history of epiphora, and her lacrimal drainage system was patent on irrigation. CT findings were consistent with anterior ethmoiditis and maxillary sinusitis. Although the symptoms responded to antibiotic treatment, they recurred 2 times within the following 5 months. During the last episode, a complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct developed. The condition did not recur after external dacryocystorhinostomy and anterior ethmoidectomy during a follow-up of 21 months. Ethmoiditis may rarely cause a localized infection in the lacrimal sac region mimicking dacryocystitis. Recurrent infections may progress to complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct.

Recurrent periorbital cellulitis associated with rhinosinusitis in children: Characteristics, course of disease, and management paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent periorbital cellulitis (RPOC) associated with rhinosinusitis is rarely noted and scarcely discussed in the literature. The aim of our study was to analyze the characteristics and disease course of a group of pediatric patients with RPOC. METHODS: The medical records of all pediatric patients with a diagnosis of RPOC treated in a tertiary children's hospital were retrieved. Included were patients with a history of two or more episode of RPOC. RESULTS: A total of 14 children were included. Mean follow up was 3 years (SD ±â€¯2.5). Median age of first POC episode was 12 months (range 5 months-12 years). Overall, 75 events of RPOCs were documented. A median of 3 events per patient was noted (range 2-16). Preseptal cellulitis was diagnosed in all but five patients, in whom orbital cellulitis or subperiosteal abscess were identified, one following failure of conservative treatment, and the remaining at first presentation or recurrence. Rhinorrhea was present in only five patients (35%). The majority of patients were treated with intra-venous antibiotics. Imaging studies were performed in all patients revealing ethmoidal sinusitis in all patients, with lamina papyracea dehiscence in two patients. Immune deficiency was diagnosed in one patient. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in seven patients, in four as preventive procedure and in three during an acute phase. Post-operative recurrent disease was noted in two patients that were operated during the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS: RPOC is a rare entity. Rhinosinusitis should be suspected in events of recurrent preseptal cellulitis even in the absence of nasal symptoms. CT scan is diagnostic for sinus origin of disease and possible anatomical abnormalities. In the majority of patients no evident etiology was identified. Elective Surgery or prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be strongly considered in this subgroup of patients as it seems beneficial.

Subdural empyema complicating sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis is a common childhood illness most often involving the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. Diagnosis is usually based on a history of an upper respiratory tract infection lasting longer than 7 days with a prominent nasal component. Treatment involves 10-14 days of antibiotics. Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis are rare, but potentially life-threatening. These include cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital and intracranial extension, and meningitis. Children with these complications may experience significant morbidity from their infection. In such cases, delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to irreparable brain damage or death. We report a case of sinusitis causing a subdural empyema in an otherwise healthy immunocompetent adolescent boy.

Bilateral subdural empyemas with meningitis secondary to acute barosinusitis.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial complications of acute rhinosinusitis are rare, but may turn life-threatening. CASE SUMMARY: We report a healthy 30-year-old male who complained of frontal headache, which developed while on a plane. A brain CT showed a low-density lesion on the left frontal convexity with right maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis. Despite receiving intravenous antibiotics, a follow-up brain CT showed two lesions with adjacent dural and leptomeningeal enhancement. A paranasal sinus CT revealed aggravated left frontal sinusitis and right maxillary sinusitis. The patient underwent craniotomy and brain abscess removal along with endoscopic sinus surgery. Seventeen days after the surgery, the patient was discharged with no neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first report regarding the association between barotrauma and intracranial complications of acute rhinosinusitis. A high index of suspicion and well-timed surgical evacuation may ensure a full recovery.

Orbital cellulitis after faden operation on the medial rectus.

BACKGROUND: Orbital cellulitis after strabismus surgery is uncommon, may cause blindness and may lead to death. Very few cases have been described in detail due to the low incidence of this complication. METHODS: We report the first case of orbital cellulitis following Faden operation on the medial rectus muscle. We believe that the infection was due to asymptomatic ethmoid sinusitis. Our case is compared with other cases previously reported. RESULTS: A two-year-old boy was surgically treated for residual esotropia after two botulinum toxin A injections. Two days after surgery, signs of orbital cellulitis developed in his right orbit. CT-scan disclosed right ethmoid sinusitis that spread to the orbit after surgery. After intravenous antibiotic treatment, the infection resolved with full restoration of visual acuity and ocular motility. CONCLUSION: Despite adequate measures to prevent infection, orbital cellulitis may complicate strabismus surgery. Patients must be instructed to recognize early symptoms of this severe infection and call the surgeon immediately. Diagnosis may be confirmed by CT-scanning of the orbits. Prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics usually leads to full recovery.

Olfactory dysfunction in sinusitis with infiltration of numerous activated eosinophils.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the number of activated eosinophils in the ethmoidal sinus mucosa with the computed tomographic findings and degree of olfactory dysfunction, and study the clinical characteristics of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethmoidal sinus mucosal specimens were obtained from 84 patients with bilateral sinusitis accompanied by endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The percentage of activated eosinophils identified by staining with EG2 antibody was compared with the nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, headache, problems of smell and overall), the CT images and the olfactory dysfunction assessed using the T&T olfactometry kit and the Alinamin test. In addition, comparison was made of the endoscopic findings obtained after the ESS and the results of the T&T olfactometry assessment. RESULTS: Specimens from 42 patients were classified in the group showing a high percentage of EG2-positive cells, while specimens from 40 patients were classified in the group showing a low percentage of EG2-positive cells. Comparison of the subjective symptoms in these two groups found a statistically significant difference only in relation to "problems of smell", while comparison of the two groups in terms of the CT scan findings found significant differences only in relation to the anterior and posterior ethmoidal sinuses. In addition, it was found that there was a possibility of manifestation of olfactory dysfunction in the group with a high percentage of EG2-positive cells even when the overall CT score was low. Comparison of the postoperative ethmoidal sinus endoscopic findings and the results using the T&T Olfactometry kit revealed that olfactory dysfunction occurs together with aggravation of the lesions. CONCLUSIONS: For the diagnosis of sinusitis accompanied by severe infiltration of activated eosinophils, attention should be paid not only to the eosinophil counts in the blood and the tissues, but also to the clinical findings, such as the status of lesions in the ethmoidal sinus as seen in CT scans and the manifestation of olfactory dysfunction.

Comparison of radical (nasalisation) and functional ethmoidectomy in patients with severe sinonasal polyposis. A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 5-year outcomes of two endoscopic surgical approaches for diffuse and severe nasal polyposis. STUDY DESIGN: A natural experimental situation gave us the opportunity to compare the results 5 years after radical ethmoidectomy (nasalisation) (n= 39), and functional ethmoidectomy (n= 37). The two surgical procedures were performed by two different surgeons on 76 consecutive patients. There was no random assignment for this retrospective study. METHODS: Five years after surgery, the criteria for comparison were 1) functional results based on a questionnaire using visual analogue scales in patients free of revision surgery; 2) endoscopic and CT-scan assessments of anatomical results. The CT-scans were blinded and randomized, and opacities were measured using a computerized model; 3) the recurrence rate of nasal polyps. RESULTS: Five years after surgery, the overall nasal functional benefit was scored 8.41 +/- 0.40 (mean +/- SEM) after nasalisation, and 5.69 +/- 0.83 after ethmoidectomy P= 0.002) in patients free of revision surgery. The endoscopic appearance of the mucosa was methodically scored according to a pre-defined scale. Results were significantly better in the nasalisation group (6.03 +/- 0.7 versus 3.27 +/- 1.0, P= 0.02). A good correlation was found between the endoscopic and CT-scan scores (r= -0.78, P= 0.0001 for nasalisation, and r= -0.65, P= 0.001 for ethmoidectomy). The total recurrence rate was 22.7% in the nasalisation group, and 58.3% in the ethmoidectomy group (chi2= 10.41, P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that in the treatment of nasal polyposis complete ethmoidectomy leads to better long term results than incomplete ethmoidectomy.

[Causes and revision endoscopic sinus surgery for recurrent sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes of revision endoscopic sinus surgery (RESS), and to evaluate the clinical effect and experience of RESS in the patients with recurrent sinusitis. METHODS: Before the revision surgery, 168 patients (225 sides) with recurrent sinusitis were examed by CT scans and nasal endoscopy. All patients were operated by revision endoscopic sinus surgery. RESULTS: Among the 168 patients, 95 cases (121 sides) had incomplete middle turbinate, 51 cases (75 sides) had maxillary sinus ostium stenosis, 85 cases (117 sides) had nasal cavity adhesion, 48 cases (57 sides) had uncinate process residual, 38 cases (65 sides) had ethmoid hyperostosis, and 25 cases had nasal septum deviation. One hundred and six patients (134 sides) were cured, 40 patients (56 sides) were improved, useful 22 patients (35 sides) were ineffective. CONCLUSION: The most common surgical causes of failures in endoscopic sinus surgery are the disease area remnant, nasal cavity adhesion, maxillary sinus ostium stenosis, uncinate process residual, ethmoid hyperostosis, and nasal septum deviation. Revision endoscopic sinus surgery is a useful way to treat recurrent sinusitis. Preoperative CT scan, correct choice of the anatomic marks of orientation and direction function are the key to operation successful.

An exotic sinusitis.

We report a case of sinusitis caused by mixed free-living amoebae, Acanthamoeba and Naegleria, in an immunocompetent host; this has not been documented before. Free-living amoebae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pathogens that cause sinusitis with or without central nervous system involvement, especially when bacteria or fungi are not found by smear, biopsy or culture.

Th1 and Th2 cell population in chronic ethmoidal rhinosinusitis: a chemokine receptor assay.

BACKGROUND: It is necessary for the immune system in the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa to possess appropriate responses to infective agents as well as allergic responses. Recently, the T helper (Th)1/Th2 paradigm has been proposed as a new concept to explain various immunologic phenomena. OBJECTIVE: Toward the goal of better understanding chronic rhinosinusitis, we have tried to define the predominating helper T-cell subsets among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis through characterizing the expressed chemokine receptors by these cells to find out the relation between these chemokine receptors' expression and the underlying pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis. METHODS: Thirty patients with ethmoidal chronic rhinosinusitis were used in our study. Patients were divided into atopic and nonatopic groups according to their serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels. Samples from ethmoidal sinus mucosa were processed as follows: frozen sections were examined immunohistochemically for detection of CCR4, CCR5, and EG2 positive cells and the mRNA of CCR4, and CCR5 transcripts were then examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: By immunohistochemistry, atopic patients showed high expression of CCR4 and EG2 positive cells, whereas nonatopic patients showed high expression of CCR5 positive cells. The expression of CCR4 and CCR5 mRNA, detected by real-time quantitative PCR, supported the data obtained by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that eosinophil recruitment associated with Th2 cell infiltration is the main factor responsible for the pathology of atopic rhinosinusitis.

Relationship between pediatric sinusitis and middle turbinate pneumatization--ethmoidal sinus pyocele thought to be caused by middle turbinate pneumatization.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the presence of pediatric middle turbinate pneumatization causes narrowing of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) and is associated with the development of paranasal sinusitis. METHODS: CT scans of 190 nasal sides of 95 children (1-15 years old) were analyzed for the presence of middle turbinate pneumatization and mucosal thickness in the paranasal sinus. RESULTS: Middle turbinate pneumatization was detected in nine (4.6%) of the nasal cavities. Only one of these sides was in a patient younger than 10 years of age, while the other eight sides were in patients at least 13 years old. In six of those nine sides with pneumatization, paranasal sinusitis was also found. However, the images showed that in five sides the middle turbinate pneumatization itself did not obstruct the OMC. In addition, the mean +/- standard deviation (S.D.) of the total score for the paranasal sinus opacification on the side which had the middle turbinate pneumatization was 5.67 +/- 2.95. The corresponding value for the 76 sides without pneumatization was 5.29 +/- 2.53, and the difference between these mean total scores was not statistically significant. However, in one side, the OMC was obstructed or narrowed due to the middle turbinate pneumatization, and an ethmoidal sinus pyocele formed on this side. CONCLUSION: A causal relationship was not found between middle turbinate pneumatization and the mechanism of development of paranasal sinusitis in children. However, in the event that the OMU becomes obstructed at some time, frequent cycles of improvement and aggravation of pediatric paranasal sinusitis may occur and lead to the development of a serious condition.

Correlation between bacteriology and computed tomography staging for chronic sinusitis.

In this study we report on the correlation between bacteriology and disease severity staging by computed tomography (CT) for chronic sinusitis. When patients with chronic sinusitis underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), swab specimens were taken from the ipsilateral middle meati and ethmoid sinuses under endoscope guidance. The severity of chronic sinusitis was evaluated by pre-operative CT scans. The CT scans were staged by the Lund and Mackay system. The scores for the frontal, anterior ethmoid and maxillary sinuses and for the ostiomeatal complex were added. The culture rates were correlated with the added scores. Between November 1998 and January 2003, 79 pairs of specimens were collected from 79 patients whose CT scans were done within a day before FESS. The culture rates of middle-meatus specimens were moderately correlated with the scores, but those of ethmoid sinus specimens were negatively correlated with the scores. If Staphylococcus epidermidis and corynebacteria were considered normal flora, the bacteriology of the middle meatus was highly correlated with the CT scores. This study shows that culture rates of middle-meatal specimens tended to increase with the severity of chronic sinusitis.

[Minimally invasive surgery for treating of complicated fronto-ethmoidal sinusitis]. / Cirugía mínimamente invasiva para el tratamiento de la sinusitis fronto-etmoidal complicada.

OBJECTIVES: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is nowadays the "gold standard" for frontal sinus pathologies, but management of acute situations and the aproach and/or the extent of the surgery perfomed in the frontal recess remains controversial nowadays. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report our experience in 4 patients with orbital celulitis due to frontal sinusitis who underwent combined external surgery (mini-trephination) and endoscopic sinus surgery. RESULTS: All patients managed sinus patency without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: We found this combined sinusotomy as an easy, effective and reproductible technique in order to resolve the difficult surgical management of complicated frontal sinusitis.