Microbial Inflammations in Children

Overview

The author evaluates in a retrospective study the incidence, diagnosis and causalagent and therapeutic results of microbial inflammations of the orbit. During theperiod from Jan.1 1997 till Dec.31 1999 66 children were hospitalized with thediagnosis of inflammation of the orbit. The mean age of the children was 6.2 years,the mean period of hospitalization 10.2 days.Chandler´s classification of inflammations of the orbit was used. The diagnosiswas established in collaboration by an ophthalmologist, otolyryngologist androentgenologist. The main cause of inflammations of the orbit was inflammationof the paranasal sinuses. The most frequent microbial agents were streptococci,staphylococci and Haemophilus influenzae.All patients were treated during hospitalization by antibiotics administered bythe i.v. route. Surgery was necessary in 8 patients - in 4 patients with an orbitalabscess and in 4 patients with a subperiostal abscess not responding to conservativetreatment. The operation was performed by an otolaryngologist using alwaysthe endonasal approach. The authors did not record in their group any permanentophthalmological complications resulting from the inflammation of the orbit.

Key words:
inflammations of the orbit, children, therapy