ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sinogenic orbital complications in children are relatively rare but critical conditions that require accurate diagnosis and timely appropriate treatment to prevent severe sequelae. OBJECTIVE: This article concentrates on clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic specifics of sinogenic orbital complications in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The work is based on a literature review (PubMed, Google Scholar) and own experience as well as data from the authors' own pediatric population. RESULTS: In children, sinogenic orbital complications are usually secondary due to acute bacterial sinusitis. Correct distinction between pre- and postseptal cellulitis is of utmost importance for correct diagnostic and therapeutic management in order to prevent long-term sequelae. Preseptal cellulitis can be treated conservatively. If there are signs of postseptal involvement, prompt cross sectional imaging will be required. Depending on the severity of the postseptal involvement, surgical treatment may be necessary. CONCLUSION: Recent literature debates three main issues: 1) developing models for different combinations of symptoms that reliably distinguish between pre- and postseptal cellulitis; 2) selection of appropriate cross-sectional imaging (MRI vs. CT); and 3) indications for surgery. All three issues will be discussed in detail in this article.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The present study comprises a retrospective analysis of skull, skull base, and midface fractures in children, to provide clinical orientation for their management. To date, only few data are available on these injuries in this patient group. METHODS: Data from inpatient cases diagnosed with a midface, skull, or skull base fracture in the Children's Hospital Auf der Bult from 2015 to 2020 were evaluated. Age, gender, fracture mechanism, diagnosis, treatment, and possible complications were analyzed. Data of 224 children were grouped into 107 cases with nose fractures, 104 cases with skull fractures, 9 patients with temporal bone fractures, 4 patients with rhinobasal fractures, and 2 cases with fractures of the orbital floor. RESULTS: Among patients with nose fractures, the average age was 10.9 years (64% males), among patients with skull fractures 1.0 year (64% males), and in children with skull base fractures 6.0 years (85% males). Falls were the most frequent genesis (63%), followed by car accidents, collisions (25%), and violence (10%). Patients with skull fractures underwent sonography in 94% of cases; in 87% the fracture was verified. Patients with nose fractures underwent xray in 92% of cases, or sonography only in 8%; 95% of patients with nose fractures underwent operative repositioning. Typical fracture signs (i.e., hemotympanum, ophthalmic symptoms) or signs of central nervous system involvement (i.e., nausea, amnesia) occurred in 12 of 13 children with skull base fractures, and CT was performed in all these cases (none of whom developed a cerebrospinal fluid leak). CONCLUSION: The imaging modality should be selected based on the clinically suspected diagnosis and the course. Most fractures can be sufficiently treated without any permanent sequelae, except for nose fractures, which frequently require operative repositioning.
Subject(s)
Skull Base , Skull Fractures , Adolescent , Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak/complications , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Skull Base/diagnostic imaging , Skull Base/surgery , Skull Fractures/diagnosis , Skull Fractures/epidemiology , Skull Fractures/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The term "orbital complication" does not designate an independent nosological entity, but is rather a collective designation for diseases or disease effects that involve the orbit and its internal structures by extension from outside. In general, their most prominent manifestation is swelling of the orbital soft tissues, usually unilaterally. The incidence of sinogenic orbital complications is approximately 1.6 per 100 000 children and 0.1 per 100 000 adults per year. METHODS: This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective search of the literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of sinogenic orbital complications. RESULTS: Acute sinusitis is the most common cause of orbital complications. These are diseases of the orbit with potentially serious consequences for the eye and the risk of intracranial complications such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, or brain abscess. Aside from acute sinusitis, many other infectious and non-infectious diseases can extend to and involve the orbit. Because of the complexity and severity of the condition, its diagnosis and treatment are always an interdisciplinary matter. The treatment is primarily conservative, under observation in a hospital, and generally consists of the treatment of acute sinusitis with measures to combat edema along with the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Surgical intervention is needed in severe cases or if there is an abscess. An endonasal approach is usually used for drainage. CONCLUSION: In 95-98% of cases in stages I-IV, healing is complete and without further sequelae. Even if vision is affected preoperatively, it usually recovers fully when therapy is appropriate. Approximately 15% of the patients who undergo surgery need more than one operative procedure.
Subject(s)
Abscess , Sinusitis , Adult , Child , Humans , Abscess/diagnosis , Sinusitis/diagnosis , Sinusitis/epidemiology , Sinusitis/therapy , Drainage/adverse effects , Drainage/methods , Acute Disease , Disease Progression , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Orbital swelling in children presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Most are associated with acute sinusitis with complicating factors possibly including: amaurosis, meningitis, intracranial abscess or even cavernous sinus thrombosis. However not all acute orbital swelling is associated with acute sinusitis. A careful evaluation is critical prior to initiating therapy. Clinical records of 49 children (27 girls, 22 boys, with an average age of 11.8 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Historical data evaluated included all available information from parents and previous treating physicians. All patients underwent intensive pediatric, ophthalmologic, and otorhinolaryngologic examinations. Computed tomography (CT scans) were additionally performed in 40 % of children. The results of any examinations were also evaluated. Eighteen of the 49 patients had an orbital complication due to acute sinusitis. All 18 had elevated body temperature, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) values and white blood cell counts. Endoscopy of the nose revealed pus in the middle meatus in each case. According to Chandlers' classification, ten children presented with a preseptal, and eight children had a postseptal orbital cellulitis. All patients were admitted to the hospital and treated with intravenous antibiotics. CT scans further demonstrated signs of subperiostal abscess in four children. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was required in six children, including all patients with subperiostal abscess. Twenty children experienced orbital swelling unrelated to acute sinusitis, i.e. atheroma, inflammed insect stings, dental related abscess, conjunctivitis, and Herpes simplex associated superinfection. In three children, acute orbital swelling was caused by an orbital tumor. Orbital complications of an acute sinusitis occur often in the pediatric patient group, and most of these patients can be treated conservative with intravenous antibiotics. Indications for FESS include failure to improve or worsening of clinical symptoms during 24 h of therapy, signs for subperiostal abscess in CT scan, and/or vision loss. Patients with infectous orbital complications had fever, elevated CRP and white blood cell counts. This symptom complex is key in making the correct diagnosis. Interestingly, 61 % of patients in this study demonstrated non-sinusitis related diseases leading to acute orbital swelling, which also required prompt recognition and appropriate therapy.
