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Neurological Complications of Acute and Chronic Sinusitis

  • Neurology of Systemic Diseases (J Biller, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Acute and chronic sinusitis can give rise to a wide array of intracranial and orbital complications. These complications include brain abscess, subdural empyema, epidural abscess, meningitis, venous sinus thrombosis, frontal bone osteomyelitis, and orbital cellulitis and abscess. Despite numerous medical advances, these complications carry a risk of mortality and significant morbidity.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have shown improvement in both the mortality and the morbidity associated with the neurologic complications of acute and chronic sinusitis. However, there are still a large portion of patients with long-term sequelae, and the literature reports a morbidity rate of approximately 30%. The most common post-treatment morbidities include permanent changes in vision, seizures, and hemiparesis.

Summary

Although the overall incidence of neurologic complications from a sinogenic source are rare, the potential long-term complications can be devastating making prompt diagnosis and treatment vital to improving outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA

    Andrea Ziegler, Monica Patadia & James Stankiewicz

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Maguire Building, 2160 S First Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA

    Andrea Ziegler

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  1. Andrea Ziegler
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Correspondence to Andrea Ziegler.

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Andrea Ziegler, Monica Patadia, and James Stankiewicz declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurology of Systemic Diseases

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Ziegler, A., Patadia, M. & Stankiewicz, J. Neurological Complications of Acute and Chronic Sinusitis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 18, 5 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0816-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0816-8

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