The Orbital Abscess in the Data of Paediatric Otolaryngological Clinic of Warsaw Medical University in 2005-2011

Introduction. Complications can occur as a consequence of both acute and chronic sinusitis. Most frequently complications are caused by acute ethmoiditis or frontal sinusitis. The complications of paranasal sinusitis are divided into intraorbital, intracranial and osteomyelitis. The children with complications of paranasal sinusitis require hospitalization, treatment with combined intravenous antibioticotherapy and often surgical treatment. Aim. The analysis of patients treated surgically for orbital complications of paranasal sinusitis. Material and methods. The research included children that were operated for orbital complications of paranasal sinusitis in Paediatric Otolaryngological Clinic of Warsaw Medical University between January 2005 and February 2011. The data were collected retrospectively on basis of medical documentation. Results. In the period 2005-02.2011 in Paediatric Otolaryngological Clinic of Warsaw Medical University 27 children were operated due to orbital complications of rhinosinusitis. The procedures that were performed most frequently were: ethmoidectomy with or without maxillary sinuses puncture and drainage of the abscess. Discussion. In children complications of paranasal sinusitis occur more frequently than in adults. The localization of the inflammation within the eyeball (preseptal or retroseptal) plays an important role in deciding about the method of treatment. Surgical treatment should be carry out in following cases: subperiosteal abscess, orbital abscess or each case of deterioration of visual acuity or lack of improvement after exact preservative treatment.