Subperiosteal Orbital Abscess - Case Report

Background

Orbital sinus complications have been known for more than 60 years.1  The infection can occour in any intraorbital area, however usually affects retro-ocular soft tissues, including the muscle cone.2

Orbital cellulitis and abscess occur due to the extent of infection of neighboring tissues, trauma or less frequently hematogenous.3  Subperiosteal abscess usually occurs due to ethmoidal sinus disease (secondary to sinusitis) because papyraceous lamina is thin and constitutes a fragile barrier for the spread of infections, orbital septum or palpebral fascia, and venous drainage of the paranasal sinuses performed through non-allowing free blood flow between ethmoid, orbital and intra-cranial contents.4

The orbital abscess requires timely and effective treatment because of its morbidity.5  

Complications includes visual loss, endophthalmitis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, intracranial spread (eg.: meningitis, cerebitis, brain abscess) and death.5

The aim of this article is to report a case of subperiosteal orbitalabscess that required surgical treatment