Isolated acute sphenoiditis with visual loss: A rare disorder in pediatric patients

Summary 

Although inflammatory disease of the sinuses is a common pathology in pediatric patients, isolated acute sphenoiditis is a rare disorder and its diagnosis is difficult due to the non-specific clinical picture. Since the sphenoid sinus has anatomical relationships with several vital structures, any delay of correct diagnosis, and therefore of prompt and adequate treatment, can result in severe and life-threatening complications. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is usually sufficient to resolve sphenoiditis, but when symptoms persist or complications occur, surgical drainage of the sinus is mandatory. To date, several surgical approaches are available to drain the sphenoid sinus. We report the history of an 11-year-old girl with sphenoiditis complicated with unilateral visual loss treated with transnasal endoscopic surgery, which led to complete resolution of symptoms. Furthermore, the importance of correct diagnosis and treatment of this rare disease is also highlighted.

Keywords: Sphenoiditis, Visual loss, Pediatric sinusitis, Complications, Endoscopic sinus surgery