Presentation of rhinosinugenic intracranial abscesses.

Intracranial abscesses secondary to rhinosinugenic disease are uncommon and the incidence is poorly documented. It is generally believed that individuals at risk of developing this complication can be identified by presenting clinical features. A ten year retrospective Scottish national survey 1976-1985 of intracranial abscesses was carried out. Clinical and or radiological evidence of nasal/paranasal aetiology in abscesses localised to the frontal lobe, extradural or subdural spaces allowed 23 surgery or autopsy confirmed abscesses to be classified as rhinosinugenic. 12 abscesses occurred in individuals aged 0-19 years, two in patients with risk factors for intracranial spread, 8 of 11 adults had similar predisposing features (p less than 0.01). This is a rare complication and individuals at risk in the first two decades of life can seldom be identified prospectively on clinical grounds.