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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis
Jonathan S Glickstein1, Rakesh K Chandra, Jerome W Thompson
1University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 956 Court Ave Suite B224, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. jglickstein@utmem.edu
Objective:
To study intracranial extension of pediatric sinusitis, an infrequent but potentially fatal complication.
Study Design And Setting:
Ten-year retrospective review at a tertiary children's hospital identified 21 cases of intracranial complications of sinusitis.
Results:
Thirteen males and eight females with mean age of 13.3 years were identified. Overall 18 of 21 (81%) exhibited abscess formation, most commonly epidural. Only 3 of 21 (14%) had meningitis alone. All but 4 patients were managed surgically, requiring craniotomy in 13 of 21 (61.9%) and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in 10 of 21 (48%). Seven patients (33%) required multiple operations during admission. Nineteen patients (90%) had a total of 30 organisms cultured. Oral flora was observed in 12 of 21 (57%). Polymicrobial infections, seen in 9 of 21 (43%), were significantly associated with the need for craniotomy (P=0.02). Mean hospital stay was 15 days, and mean length of IV antibiotic was 5 weeks.
Conclusions:
Intracranial complications of pediatric sinusitis often require craniotomy. Oral flora and polymicrobial infections were prominent in this series.
Ebm Rating:
C-4.
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