Extensive Invasive Sinusitis Secondary to Streptococcus Intermedius Infection

Invasive sinusitis is a rare complication of sinusitis. We present the case of a woman, age 72 years, who presented with acute encephalopathy in the setting of sepsis found to have extensive invasive sinusitis with intracranial extension secondary to Streptococcus intermedius, managed with intravenous antibiotics alone. S. intermedius is a rare cause of acute bacterial sinusitis, associated with infections of relatively greater severity and risk of intracranial spread, often requiring a combination of intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement for source control. Successful treatment of invasive sinusitis with medical management alone may be achievable if surgical intervention is contraindicated. However, the probability of meaningful recovery without surgical source control is rare and is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Therefore, factors contributing to the success of medical management alone should be investigated.