View from within: Radiology in focus. C.T. demonstration of metastatic anaerobic orbital abscess

Orbital abscess of rhinosinogenic origin may develop, either by contiguous spread of the infection or by a thrombophlebitic process. While destruction of the bony walls of the paranasal sinus occurs in propagation of the infection by tissue continuity, haematogenous spread may take place through intact bone. Computed tomography demonstrates the status of the bony partitions shared by the orbit and paranasal sinuses, and the source of the orbital sepsis, thereby influencing the therapeutic approach.