A Case of Two Different Complications of Sinusitis: Orbital Abscess and Subdural Empyema

Abstract

Today, in spite of improved diagnostic tools and appropriate antibiotic usage, life-threatening complications of sinusitis such as orbital abscess and subdural empyema can still be observed. These complications may cause serious, disabling sequelae. Presently described is case of 12-year-old girl with frontoethmoidal sinusitis as well as orbital abscess and subdural empyema. Prompt diagnosis and treatment resulted in uncomplicated outcome. For patients with subdural empyema, early diagnosis is possible with cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgery is not necessarily required for clinical improvement. Otolaryngologists should pay attention to additional symptoms such as confusion or loss of consciousness in patients with orbital abscess in order to diagnose a secondary complication such as subdural empyema promptly.