Epidemiological, Clinical and Therapeutic Profiles of Ophthalmological Complications of Rhino-Sinusitis in a Tertiary Facility in Black Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Rhinosinusitis is one of the most common ENT diseases. Its main complications are of three types: cranial, endo-cranial and ophthalmological. The aim of this study was to contribute to the study of ophthalmological complications of rhino-sinusitis in our context. Material and Methods: This was a prospective study, of descriptive type, of six (6) months (July-December 2017), concerning the patients received and treated for ophthalmological complications of rhino-sinusitis at the National IgnaceDeen Hospital. Results: During our study period, we collected 32 ophthalmological complications of rhinosinusitis, i.e. 65.31% of cases. The average age of our patients was 34.25 ± 15.15 years with extremes of 8 and 76 years and a sex ratio of 0.45. A history of rhinitis and/or rhino-sinusitis was reported in all our patients. Housewives were the most affected socio-professional group, accounting for 34.37% of cases. The average consultation time was 20 ± 52 days. Tearing, palpebral oedema and purulent rhinorrhea were present in all our patients. Preseptal cellulitis and abscess were the most common complications, accounting for 56.25% and 28.12% of cases respectively. The treatment was medical-surgical. Drainage of a subperiosteal abscess of the ethmoid involved 53.12% of cases. Surgical treatment of the maxillary sinus and/or ethmoid by endoscopy was sometimes associated. The evolution was favourable in all cases. Conclusion: Ophthalmological complications of rhino-sinusitis are still frequent in our developing countries. Their management must be multidisciplinary.