[Complicated isolated inflammatory sphenoiditis (apropos of 23 cases)]

Isolated inflammatory sphenoid sinusitis, associated with complications are rare. Authors report 23 cases in 8 years. The left sphenoid is the most often involved, in 50 years or more old females. Neurological complications are the most frequent (75% of the cases): isolated headache, neuro-ophtalmologic paralysis, meningitis, before respiratory complications (20%). A bacteriological etiology was found in 60% of the cases, and a fungal etiology in 25%. The treatment is based on a large endoscopic marsupialization of the sphenoid. Recovery is the rule, except for neuro-ophtalmologic paralysis which recovery is inconstant.