Frontal sinus mini-trephination for acute sinusitis complicated by intracranial infection.
BACKGROUND
Acute bacterial sinusitis is common in the pediatric population. Intracranial spread of infection is a rare but life-threatening complication of acute sinusitis. Due to the infrequent presentation of this complication, there are no well-defined management protocols for the acute sinusitis.


METHODS
We present three pediatric cases where children presented with intracranial sepsis, and the underlying source of infection was from the paranasal sinuses. In all cases, endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in the acute setting, with the use of frontal sinus mini-trephines playing a significant role.


CONCLUSIONS
We describe our experience and review the available literature.
McIntosh
D L
DL
Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Auckland Starship Children's Hospital, Park Road, Grafton, New Zealand. david@ent4kids.com.au
Mahadevan
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015522:Frontal Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014207:Trephining / Q000379:methods*