COMPLICATIONS OF FRONTAL SINUSITIS IN ADOLESCENTS - CASE PRESENTATIONS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Frontal sinusitis in adolescents can be a serious condition because of the severity of potential complications and rapid progression of dise ase. These complications may arise as a result of extension of the inf ection intracranially, to the frontal bone, and to the orbit. Infectio n may spread hematogenously or by direct extension. A series of seven adolescent patients with complications of frontal sinusitis is present ed. Surgical options are necessitated by the location and extent of in fection and include trephination, frontal sinus obliteration, and cran iotomy. Recent advances in endoscopic sinus surgery have provided surg eons another access to the frontal recess. However, a combined otolary ngological/neurosurgical approach is essential for patients with intra cranial complications. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.