Orbital complications secondary to acute rhinosinusitis in toddlers: A unique age group

To present the clinical course and management of pediatric orbital complications (OC) secondary to acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), focusing on subperiosteal orbital abscess (SPOA) in toddlers (<2 years). A secondary aim was to identify and evaluate unique variables in toddlers which distinguish them from the older age group.

A retrospective cohort study of all children with OC secondary to ARS admitted to a secondary medical center between 2005 and 2014 was conducted. Variables analyzed included age, gender, symptoms duration, previous antibiotic therapy, highest recorded temperature, physical and ophthalmologist's examination results, laboratory results and imaging findings.

Of the 123 children with OC, 52 (42%) were toddlers. Of them, 30(58%) were boys, with a mean age of 1.4 years. Toddlers presented with higher fever measurements and leukocyte/lymphocyte counts than older children. 69% had Chandler's 1 stage vs 45% in older children (p = 0.015). Ophthalmoplegia was less common in toddlers, who were also less likely to develop late ophthalmoplegia, an important indicator for good treatment response. Eighteen (35%) toddlers underwent computerized tomography (CT) scans, compared to 50 (70%) in the older aged group. Of them, 16/18 (89%) had SPOA. Five (10%) toddlers underwent drainage (31% of Chandler's 3 in this age group) compared to 19 (27%) older patients who underwent surgical treatment (53% of Chandler's 3 in this age group).

Toddlers with OC have a milder disease and better outcomes, measured in lower rates of delayed ophthalmoplegia, number of CT scans and SPOA rates, and with fewer surgical interventions.