Which sinus infection is most likely the etiology of orbital cellulitis?

Which sinus infection is most likely the etiology of orbital cellulitis?

• A. Sphenoid sinusitis
• B. Frontal sinusitis
• C. Maxillary sinusitis
• D. Ethmoid sinusitis

Answer: (D)

In orbital cellulitis, infections spread most often from the ethmoid sinuses because the thin lamina papyracea forms the boundary between the ethmoid air cells and the orbit, allowing easy direct spread of infection into the orbital contents. This close, delicate wall makes ethmoid sinusitis the most common source of orbital involvement in both children and adults. Other sinuses are less likely to provide a direct route: the frontal and maxillary sinuses are farther from the orbit and infection tends to track differently, and the sphenoid sinus, while capable of causing orbital or cavernous involvement, is less commonly the primary source of orbital cellulitis.

In orbital cellulitis, infections spread most often from the ethmoid sinuses because the thin lamina papyracea forms the boundary between the ethmoid air cells and the orbit, allowing easy direct spread of infection into the orbital contents. This close, delicate wall makes ethmoid sinusitis the most common source of orbital involvement in both children and adults. Other sinuses are less likely to provide a direct route: the frontal and maxillary sinuses are farther from the orbit and infection tends to track differently, and the sphenoid sinus, while capable of causing orbital or cavernous involvement, is less commonly the primary source of orbital cellulitis.