Orbital infection secondary to sinusitis in children: diagnosis and management

Orbital complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in the pediatric population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Assess characteristics and outcomes of orbital complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) in the pediatric population and evaluate trends over time.

METHODS

A literature search of pediatric orbital complications was performed in the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies reporting data for at least 10 subjects with orbital complications of sinusitis under 18 years old were included. Studies were grouped by publication year; before 2010 and after and including 2010. Studies that only included patients with subperiosteal abscess (SPA) were grouped in a separate category. Data collected include demographics, Chandler class complications, intra-operative culture, treatment, and outcomes. Meta-analysis of proportion was performed to compare data from studies published before 2010 and data published in 2010 and after.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies met inclusion criteria. No significant difference was observed over time in gender of subjects in the all Chandler complications or SPA only groups (P > 0.72). The proportion of subjects presenting with Chandler IV complications decreased from 6.8% to 2.9% in recent studies (P = 0.019). The proportion of subjects treated surgically decreased from 45.2% to 21.7% in the all Chandler complications group (P < 0.0001) and from 90.0% to 47.9% in the SPA only group, P < 0.0001. The proportion of S. pneumoniae positive cultures decreased from 20.5% to 9.1% (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The demographics of pediatric patients treated for orbital complications of ABRS in published literature has been stable. Patients reported in more recently published studies are less likely to present with orbital abscess and more likely to receive conservative treatment. The proportion of positive Streptococcus pneumoniae cultures have decreased.

Endoscopic Drainage of Subperiosteal Abscess in Children: A Pilot Study

Subperiosteal abscess is a serious orbital complication of sinusitis that occurs predominantly in children. Infection may spread to the orbital site through a preexisting defect in the lamina papyracea or by means of a thrombophlebitic process. Although the traditional approach to treating a subperiosteal abscess has been drainage through an external incision, we treated this serious complication with functional endonasal sinus surgery. Ten pediatric patients with clinical and CT evidence of orbital subperiosteal abscess underwent endoscopic surgery at LeBonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., between July 1990 and June 1992. The four girls and six boys were between 3 and 12 years of age at the time of surgery. Despite 2 to 4 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy, their signs and symptoms progressed, and axial and coronal CT scans demonstrated orbital subperiosteal abscess. Seven patients had bilateral ethmoid and maxillary sinusitis, and the remaining three patients had unilateral ethmoiditis. Ophthalmologic assessments were performed for all patients immediately after hospital admission. The patients were started on regimens of high-dose intravenous cefuroxime sodium to subdue infections and pediatric decongestant nasal spray to facilitate drainage. All 10 patients with the confirmed diagnosis of subperiosteal abscess were treated with endoscopic surgery to drain the site of infection. All 10 patients improved significantly 12 to 24 hours after surgery and were discharged from the hospital to their homes 48 to 72 hours after surgery. Patients were continued on a regimen of broad-spectrum oral antibiotics and beclomethasone nasal spray for 2 weeks beyond the final examination. Follow-up endoscopic examinations were performed under general anesthesia in the operating room 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. No complications or adverse sequelae occurred. Our study appears to confirm that endoscopic drainage of subperiosteal abscess offers the patient an alternative to incisional surgery. The endoscopic approach prevents an external scar without increasing morbidity or length of hospitalization.

Microbiology and choice of antimicrobial therapy for acute sinusitis complicated by subperiosteal abscess in children

OBJECTIVES

Review past studies of the microbiology of subperiosteal abscesses (SPOA) complicating sinusitis in children and their implications of the antimicrobials administered to treat the infection.

METHODS

Literature search was conducted of the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, TRIP, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases from their inception.

RESULTS

The most common pathogens isolated from studies of SPOA complicating sinusitis are aerobic (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus spp., Haemophilus spp., Eikenella corrodens), anaerobic (Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Veillonella spp.), and micoaerophilic streptococci (Streptococcus anginosus/Streptococcus milleri group), all members of the oropharyngeal flora. S. pneumoniae and S. aureus were more frequently recovered in children >7 years old, while polymicrobial aerobic-anaerobic flora were more often isolated from those >15 years. The introduction of pneumococcal vaccine reduced the rate of isolation of S. pneumoniae, and correlated with increase of recovery of S. aureus including methicillin resistant strains, as well as Streptococcus pyogenes and S. anginosus/milleri group.

CONCLUSIONS

The microbiology and consequently the treatment of respiratory infections including sinusitis and its complications has evolved over the past decades. Establishing the microbiology of SPOA by obtaining appropriate cultures for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are essential for proper antimicrobial selection.

The Acute Orbit: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Therapy

PURPOSE

Extension of dental abscesses to distant areas of the head and neck has been repeatedly reported in the medical literature. Subsequent involvement of the orbit still remains a rarity, resulting in protracted onset of therapy because of inaccurate diagnosis. Considering the possible lasting damage that can result from insufficient therapy, like blindness or even death, the need to extensively educate practicing physicians becomes evident.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With the help of a comprehensive review of the medical literature underlined with a clinical case, the etiology, diagnosis, and therapy of the acute orbit are highlighted with emphasis on the new imaging modalities as well as the broad spectrum antibiotics currently available on the market.

RESULTS

Orbital infections of odontogenic origin are the rarest sequelae, with a prevalence of 1.3%. Correct diagnosis, adequate antibiotic therapy, and surgical drainage are the keys to success.

CONCLUSION

The acute orbit continues to be a medical challenge. With the proposed diagnostic and therapy guidelines, this affliction can be identified and contained with a high degree of certainty.

Guidelines for the management of periorbital cellulitis/abscess

Orbital and periorbital swelling secondary to acute sinusitis is relatively common. Distinguishing between preseptal and orbital involvement can be difficult based on clinical observations alone. A delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment may result in serious complications including blindness. The literature is reviewed and simple guidelines suggested to manage such patients, including their initial assessment, investigations with particular reference to the indications and timing of CT scanning, antimicrobial therapy and the type of surgery. These guidelines have been approved across disciplines in our unit and trialled successfully for 2 years.

Intracranial abscess as a complication of subperiosteal abscess of the orbit

PURPOSE

To describe the potential complication of intracranial abscess in the setting of orbital abscess.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed case reports and the literature. Three patients were found to have pansinusitis progressing to subperiosteal abscess of the orbit and subsequent intracranial abscess.

RESULTS

Three patients, ages 14, 26, and 57 years, with concurrent pansinusitis, subperiosteal abscess of the orbit, and intracranial abscess were treated with intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainage of the orbital abscess and sinuses. Two of the three patients required drainage of the intracranial abscess.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, intracranial abscess is a life-threatening complication of orbital abscess. It requires aggressive intervention by a multidisciplinary team.

Multiple bilateral orbital abscesses secondary to nasal furunculosis

Orbital inflammation secondary to sinus inflammation is a well known entity and has been widely reported. However, nasal furunculosis resulting in orbital inflammation is a rare occurrence. We present a case of a 2-year-old boy who developed multiple bilateral orbital abscesses secondary to nasal furunculosis. To our knowledge such a case has not been reported before.

Antibiotic choice in acute and complicated sinusitis

The microbiology of 87 patients admitted to hospital, over a five-year period, with acute sinusitis was retrospectively analysed. Sixty-three patients had one or more of an orbital, intracranial, soft tissue or bony complication. Eighty-four patients had maxillary sinus washouts, while 48 required a surgical procedure to their sinuses, and 33, drainage of an empyema. Streptococcus milleri and Haemophilus influenzae were the commonest organisms isolated from sinus aspirates (44 per cent), with a noticeable absence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (10 per cent). Organisms cultured from intracranial, soft tissue or orbitral empyemas were predominantly Streptococcus milleri (50 per cent) and Staphylococcus aureus (25 per cent) with an absence of Haemophilus influenzae (four per cent) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (four per cent). Ampicillin is an appropriate first line antimicrobial agent in patients with acute complicated sinusitis with the addition of cloxacillin in cases with an empyema. Chloramphenicol or ceftriaxone is used in cases with an intracranial complication.

Periorbital cellulitis: a comparison of different treatment regimens

Periorbital cellulitis was retrospectively investigated in a cohort of 69 children, 1.5-16 years of age, who were admitted to Hacettepe University Children's Hospital. The aim of the study was to define the most important cause of the disease and to choose the most appropriate antimicrobial regimen. Sinusitis (43%) was found to be the most frequent disease associated with periorbital cellulitis. Trauma (25%) and odontogenic infections (6%) were the next most common predisposing causes. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 14 (74%) of 19 cultures. Two antibiotic combinations, penicillin plus chloramphenicol and sulbactam-ampicillin (SAM) with or without ornidazole was used in 30 (43%) and 39 (57%) of 69 cases, respectively. The duration of treatment with these two antibiotic combinations was generally between 7 and 10 days. No statistical difference was found between the two antibiotic combinations in the cure and recurrence rates but five (17%) of the 30 cases using penicillin plus chloramphenicol, and one (3%) of the 39 cases using SAM with or without ornidazole had recurrent periorbital cellulitis. It was concluded that SAM can be the first line of drug treatment for periorbital cellulitis as it is easily used in every age group and etiology (trauma, sinusitis, etc.). It provides total recovery and has less side effects and risk of recurrence. It also has a broad antimicrobial spectrum.