Blindness after orbital cellulitis of pansinusitis etiology: A case report

Objective: The Aim of This study was to demonstrate the need for early and appropriate management of orbital cellulitis secondary to pansinusitis, in order to avoid serious functional and even life-threatening complications. Material and method: This was an observational case of a 17-year-old female patient with no known pathological history, admitted for left frontal swelling, palpebral edema, associated with bilateral periorbital erythema, more marked on the left. Hematological examination revealed an infectious and inflammatory syndrome: WBC 15.30 elements/mm3, CRP 69.40 mg/l, normal blood glucose 84.40 mg/dl. A CT scan of the orbitocranium, performed without injection of contrast medium in an emergency situation, showed pansunusitis associated with an abscess of the subcutaneous soft tissues opposite, and obstruction of the left maxillary sinus meatus and ostium. Under general anaesthesia, a 15 cm incision was made at the tail of the eyebrow, and the yellowish-coloured pus collection of around 200 cc was detached and drained. Medical treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids, analgesics and antiseptics resulted in complete remission of the symptoms. Conclusion: Orbital cellulitis in young subjects is a rare condition, but it can lead to serious functional and vital complications. Urgent and effective treatment is therefore essential to avoid blindness or death.