title: Imaging findings of the orbital and intracranial complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
abstract: In patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis severe orbital and intracranial complications can occur. This review will illustrate the anatomic relationship between the paranasal sinuses and the orbital and intracranial compartments. Subsequently, the spectrum of orbital and intracranial complications of rhinosinusitis and related imaging findings will be discussed and illustrated by case material from daily practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis can cause severe orbital and intracranial complications. • If orbital or intracranial complications are suspected, cross-sectional imaging is mandatory. • Infection can spread from the ethmoid sinus to the orbit through the lamina papyracea. • Frontal sinusitis can spread intracranially through dehiscences or osteomyelitis. • Radiologists must recognize imaging findings of complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology (HP E01.132), University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.w.dankbaar@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dankbaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Bemmel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology (HP E01.132), University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Pameijer
keywords: Abscess; Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis; Cellulitis; Osteomyelitis; Paranasal sinuses