The Management of Frontal Sinusitis and its Complications

Osteomyelitis of the frontal bone secondary to frontal sinusitis

“…4,5 The venous drainage of the frontal sinus mucosa is in communication with the drainage of the diploe and dura. 6 Because of this arrangement of mucosal drainage, infection in the frontal sinus can spread to the overlying bone by two routes, either by direct extension, a so-called 'ruptured frontal sinus' 7 or by propagation of septic thrombi affecting any of the bones of the cranial vault. The incidence of osteomyelitis secondary to sinusitis is dif cult to ascertain.…”

Fistulae in the inner canthus associated with ethmoiditis

“…Usually the fistulae occur post-operatively but they may also develop spontaneouly as a complication of sinusitis (frontal or ethmoidal). If treated late, the fistula orifice shows marked scarring and contracture and may produce ectropion of the upper lid (Dawes, 1961).…”

“…We hereby present an unusual case of bilateral fistulous orifices in the inner canthus with a chronic purulent discharge arising, most probably, from the ethmoidal sinuses. To the best of our knowledge no similar case has been reported in the literature relating to complications of sinusitis (Dawes, 1961;Quick and Payne, 1972;Welsh and Welsh, 1974;Sheffield et al, 1978;Morgan and Morrison, 1980;Tovi et al, 1983;Hayes and Weber, 1987).…”

Acute Frontal and Ethmoid Sinusitis with Subperiosteal Abscess

“…was used to reduce the likelihood of subsequent stricture formation and ensure permanent 1)ateiicy of this artificially created duct. This form of intranasal drainage has been found successful after radical frontal sinus operations (Howarth, 1921 ;Dawes, 1961).…”