Investigation of complications of paranasal sinusitis in children - abstract

ABSTRACT

The on-going study in patients requiring hospitalization for paranasal sinusitis investigates the extent and spread of the infection on admission. Children with paranasal sinusitis are admitted to hospital if they develop fever, proptosis, ophthal moplegia, eyelids swollen shunt, or decrease in consciousness level. They undergo CT scanning on admission, to determine the involvement of other craniofacial compartments. Complications of paranasal sinusitis arise with breach of the sinus walls and spread to the orbit or intracranial space. Orbital sinusitis or abscess formation may follow, while intracraniallym empyema and brain abscess may arise. These complications are readily recognised by CT examination. The use of computerised tomography in the early investigation of spread of paranasal sinusitis affords effective decision-making for appropriate medical and surgical management of this potentially dangerous infection (AU)