INTRACRANIAL AND ORBITAL COMPLICATIONS OF PARANASAL SINUSITIS IN INFANCY - THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY (FES)

Background: Orbital or endocranial complications of sinusitis are rare clinical syndromes in infancy. Methods: We retrospectively examined t he complications that occured and the role of Functional endoscopic si nus surgery (FES). Results: Most of the complications were caused by a cute inflammation of the ethmoid or sphenoid cells with direkt extensi on through dehiscent areas (flat bone) or neurovascular foramina. MRT had the highest sensitivity in detecting acute inflammatory foci. Earl y elimination of the cause of inflammation by FESS prevents spread of the complication. Advantages of FESS included better orientation and s urgical access to the paranasal system of infants. The orbital complic ations were treated by surgical exploration of the communication pathw ays by a new endoscopic speculum. Conclusion: Early elimination of acu te inflammatory foci by FESS prevents spread of infection in complicat ions of paranasal sinusitis in infancy.