[Inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses: orbital and periorbital complications]

In most cases bacterial infections of orbital and periorbital structures constitute inflammatory processes transmitted from the paranasal sinus system. The anatomical continuity of the paranasal sinuses to the orbit and also to the brain is the main reason for the occurrence of serious or even life-threatening complications.

Under consideration of the literature and selected clinical cases, the pathogenesis, diagnostic standards and therapy strategies are discussed with respect to the stage of the disease and the clinical course.

Inflammatory periorbital and orbital complications require immediate otorhinolaryngological diagnosis and therapy and therefore, interdisciplinary cooperation with ophthalmologists and radiologists is indispensable. In particular the infrequent, but still seriously life-threatening processes associated with a 5-10% fatality rate must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. In these cases the inclusion of neurosurgery and intensive care into a complex treatment management is necessary in order to prevent severe progression with endocrinal complications or even fatal outcome.