Intracranial abscess as a complication of subperiosteal abscess of the orbit.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Hartstein
M E
ME
Saint Louis University Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA.
Steinvurzel
M D
MD
Cohen
C P
CP
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000150:complications; D004322:Drainage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010521:Periosteum; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents