title: [Orbital complications of sinusitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Orbital complications of sinusitis are rare but serious, with potential functional and even fatal consequences. The purpose of this work is to study the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical features of the orbital complications of sinusitis, as well as the various treatment modalities and clinical course.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the results of a retrospective study of 34 cases of orbital complications of sinusitis, collected between 1998 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 19 years 3 months, with a clear male predominance. No predisposing factors were found. All patients presented with periorbital edema. In addition to periorbital edema, ophthalmological examination also revealed: proptosis in 19 patients, decreased visual acuity in eight patients and ocular motility disturbances in 10 patients. All patients underwent emergent facial CT, two patients underwent orbital ultrasound, and one underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Initial treatment was based on empiric intravenous antibiotic therapy. Orbital drainage was performed in 20 patients. Sinus drainage was performed in 16 patients (14 cases during the acute phase) with a middle meatotomy in all cases. The initial response was favorable in 97.5% of cases. One patient had a recurrence. Mean follow-up was 11 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orbital complications of sinusitis are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Imaging helps guide management. Directed treatment and early management can improve mortality and morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Service ORL et CCF, hôpital Habib Thameur Tunis, 8, rue Ali-Ben-Ayed-Montfleury, 1008 Tunis, Tunisie. medbenamor76@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ben Amor
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romdhane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zribi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ben Gamra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mbarek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El Khédim
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult