Acute orbital complications of sinusitis: the benefits of magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction: Acute sinusitis is a relatively common condition, which usually responds to medical therapy. In most cases, there are no sequelae or complications subsequent to this infection. However, like many acute illnesses, there are well documented complications of acute sinusitis, and in particular these include peri-orbital and intracranial spread. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of vigilance regarding both peri-orbital involvement of sinusitis and the limitations of imaging techniques such as computed tomography. An illustrative case is presented to demonstrate this. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable modality in assessing complex presentations of peri-orbital complications of acute sinusitis.