Fibrous Dysplasia as a Cause of Periorbital Abscess

Abstract

Subperiosteal abscess of the orbit is not a rare entity. Its source is typically ethmoid sinusitis, with direct or hematogenous spread through the lamina papyracea. The treatment usually involves confirmation of the diagnosis through CT imaging, intravenous antibiotics, and either internal or external surgical drainage. We report a case of acute ethmoid sinusitis with periorbital abscess from a unique source—fibrous dysplasia of the middle turbinate—and discuss the therapy and management dilemmas of this unusual problem.