Pediatric subperiosteal orbital abscess secondary to acute sinusitis: a 5-year review

Objective: Subperiosteal orbital abscesses (SPOAs) secondary to acute sinusitis are rare occurrences in the pediatric age group, more so in the neonatal period. Here, a rare case of SPOA in a 38-day-old newborn later drained via endoscopic sinus surgery is included also. This review describes the demographic data, clinical history, treatment, microbiology results, complications, and outcome.
Methods: The admission records for all the patients who were admitted to the Pediatric Surgical Ward in Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Malaysia, between January 2004 and May 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Records of patients who presented with preseptal cellulitis, orbital cellulitis, subperiosteal abscess (extraconal), orbital abscess (intraconal), and cavernous sinus thrombosis were closely studied. Ophthalmology consultations were obtained in all these cases. Ultimately, 3 patients having SPOA secondary to acute sinusitis were selected for this review.
Results: All patients were male with rapid onset of periorbital signs, absence of purulent rhinorrhea, and presence of significant thrombocytosis (exceeding 500 × 109/L). The 38-day-old newborn had mixed infection of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteremia and local Acinetobacter eye infection with Staphylococcus aureus in the SPOA. All had medially located SPOA that was adequately drained via endoscopic sinus surgery, resulting in full recovery.
Conclusion: Newborns with preexisting risk factors and immature immunity are at risk of severe and rare infections. Contrast-enhanced paranasal sinus computed tomographic scan is mandatory and reliable to differentiate preseptal and postseptal orbital infection, as both conditions can present similarly and rapidly deteriorate. In the contrast-enhanced computed tomography–demonstrable SPOA, endoscopic sinus surgery drainage of the abscess proved to be safe and reliable as the main treatment modality. All patients recovered well without complications.