Bilateral Isolated Sinopalpebral Fistulas Secondary to Frontal Sinusitis

Abstract

We aimed to present the clinical characteristics of a patient who had bilateral sinocutaneous fistula as a complication of longstanding frontal sinusitis in this study. A 48-year-old man presented with bilateral sinocutaneous fistula located adjacent to the superior palpebral sulcus on the orbital midline. Ophthalmological and nasal endoscopic examinations were nonspecific. Computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated bilateral mucosal thickening, loss of aeration, and full-thickness bone defect on the infero-anterior part of the right frontal sinus corresponding to the discharging fistulous track. On the left side, symmetrical bone defect was partially closed. Interestingly, the patient had no other systemic symptoms or findings for eight years. In conclusion, frontal sinusitis might lead serious complications, whereas sinocutaneous fistulas might act as secondary drainage pathway that prevents intracranial or orbital complications as in this case. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 84-5)

Keywords

• Frontal sinusitis
• fistula
• orbit
• complication