Velásquez, Alina; Valenzuela, Bárbara; Cerda, Patricio & Araneda, Juan
Summary
Orbital cellulitis is a serious pathology that is associated with paranasal sinusitis. These medical conditions usually present with periorbital edema, pain, and restricted extraocular movement. Most cases have a favorable prognosis, associated with antibiotic therapy or surgical drainage. Cellulitis of odontogenic origin represents 2 to 5 % of all cases. They are characterized by a spread of the infectious process from the apices of the roots, infecting the maxillary sinus, reaching the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure or through a defect in the floor of the orbit. The present study reports the case of a 28-year-old male patient, who consulted for a volume increase in left periorbital volume with 4 days of evolution, after extraction of the upper left second molar. Extraoral examination showed left volume increase with periorbital erythema, ipsilateral ocular proptosis with preserved vision, and discharge of purulent fluid from the left nostril. The laboratory and imaging tests showed compromise of the maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoid sinus deciding on hospitalization and surgical management in three operative times, which allow access to the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and the pterygoid space. Diagnoses of orbital cellulitis may include allergic reactions, conjunctivitis, or herpes. These diagnoses were excluded because no periorbital dermocutaneous alterations were observed. In contrast, unilateral involvement, impaired eye movement, and pain indicate that the condition involved deep spaces. Paranasal sinus infection after tooth extraction is a rare complication. An early diagnosis adequately decreases the morbidity and mortality of this condition. We must be alert to subsequent complications in procedures performed, have knowledge in diagnosis and management of possible torpid evolutions in patients.
KEY WORDS: clinical case, periorbitary cellulitis, sinusitis, orbital cellulitis, polysinusitis.
How to cite this article
VELÁSQUEZ, A.; VALENZUELA, B.; CERDA, P. & ARANEDA, J. Surgical resolution for a case of polysinusitis of odontogenic origin. Int. J. Odontostomat., 17(3):240-244, 2023.