Barbora Uhliarová, Gabriela Bugová, Milan Kapusta, Miloš Jeseňák, Andrej Hajtman
Orbital cellulitis is an acute inflammation of the soft tissues of the orbit that is one of the most common complications of rhinosinusitis in children, especially when ethmoid sinuses are affected. Despite highly effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy, availability of imaging studies (especially CT scan) and advanced surgical methods (FESS – functional endonasal sinonasal surgery), orbital complications of rhinosinusitis without adequate treatment can lead to visual deterioration or even blindness. There is also a real risk of the intracranial spread of the infection, eventually sepsis and even life-threatening complications. Therefore early diagnosis and adequate treatment are required.
The authors present two cases of children with orbital cellulitis that were treated surgically by endonasal approach. Etiopathogenesis, diagnostic methods and treatment of orbital cellulitis are discussed.