[Multiple complications of acute unilateral rhinosinusitis--a case report]

Otolaryngol Pol. 2011 May-Jun;65(3):228-32. doi: 10.1016/S0030-6657(11)70680-1.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Introduction: Intracranial or orbital complications after chronic and acute rhinosinusitis are rare, but could be dangerous. The complications of acute rhinosinusitis more often are observed in young patients. The combination of both intracranial and orbital complications together is found after acute inflammation.

Material and methods: We present a case of a patient with primary developed orbital complication during acute rhinosinusitis followed by intracranial abscess during the same treatment period.

Results: One week after intravenous antibiotic therapy with good outcome we observed an aggravated inflammation process with osteitis of frontal bone and brain abscess formation. We performed an external approach for frontal sinus surgery combined with neurosurgical brain abscess evacuation. Swabs taken during surgery were positive for: Streptococcus constellatus and Parvimonas micra sensitive for penicillin and metronidazol. We observed a good recovery after two weeks of treatment.

Conclusions: We recommend performing a complementary CT of the sinus and CT of the brain with contrast when complications of acute rhinosinusitis are suspected. The coexistence of intracranial and orbital complications could be observed in younger patients mostly after acute sinusitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Brain Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Brain Abscess / surgery
  • Epidural Abscess / drug therapy
  • Epidural Abscess / microbiology*
  • Epidural Abscess / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Rhinitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Rhinitis / drug therapy
  • Rhinitis / microbiology*
  • Rhinitis / surgery
  • Sinusitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sinusitis / drug therapy
  • Sinusitis / microbiology*
  • Sinusitis / surgery
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome