Orbital Subperiosteal Abscess Complicating Acute Ethmoiditis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Acute ethmoiditis in children is an infection of the ethmoid sinuses. The germs most often involved are Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus. The diagnosis is made when edema appears in the internal angle of the eye, often in the context of common nasopharyngitis. The Chandler classification codes the involvement of the orbit which can jeopardize the visual prognosis at advanced stages. The CT scan of the face confirms the diagnosis and helps detect ocular and endocranial complications. Treatment is essentially medical based on a combination of antibiotics. Surgery consists of drainage of the orbital abscess by external, endoscopic or combined approach.