Dm. Kaplan et al., The use of standardized orbital ultrasound in the diagnosis of sinus induced infections of the orbit in children: a preliminary report, INT J PED O, 48(2), 1999, pp. 155-162
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Otolaryngology
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY
Infections of the orbit in children usually present as a complication of si
nusitis and may result in blindness or even death. Orbital cellulitis (OC)
and subperiosteal abscess (SPA) represent different pathologies within the
spectrum of orbital infections. The differentiation between OC and SPA is i
mportant, since it implies two different therapeutic modalities. While SPA
is usually treated by incision and drainage and parenteral antibiotics, OC
may be treated with antibiotics alone. Contrast enhanced CT scan is commonl
y used in the diagnosis of orbital infections, but does not always prove ac
curate in differentiating between these two conditions. MRI is superior to
CT in the resolution of soft tissue pathology and may be more precise in su
ch situations, but is less available imaging tool outside North America and
Europe. There have been a few reports in the early 1980's on the use of st
andardized orbital ultrasound (SOU) in these two conditions. We have used S
OU in seven children with sinus induced orbital infections-four with SPA an
d three with OC. We reviewed our experience in these patients and compared
the imaging characteristics of OC and SPA on SOU with those of conventional
imaging modalities, used in orbital infections. In four of the cases, CT s
can was inconclusive, while SUO was diagnostic. In this preliminary report.
we conclude that SOU may be useful in the diagnosis of orbital infections.
(C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.