Differential diagnosis of complications of pediatric sinusitis

• Orbital
  • Orbital cellulitis (including preseptal cellulitis, postseptal / orbital cellulitis, intracranial abscess, subperiosteal abscess, orbital abscess)
• Intracranial
  • Sinogenic abscess (including meningitis, cerebritis, intracranial abscess, subdural empyema, epidural empyema)
• Vascular
  • Cavernous sinus thrombosis
• Miscellaneous
  • Pott puffy tumor
  • Nasal polyps

Approach to the differential diagnosis of complications of sinusitis:

• Untreated or partially treated sinusitis can result in complications that lead to classic clinical presentations:
  • Orbital swelling – look for subperiosteal abscess
  • Forehead swelling – look for Potts puffy tumor
  • Seizure or headache – look for meningitis, cerebritis intracranial abscess, subdural empyema