Author: Luke O’Neill / Editor: Stephen Sheridan / Codes: DC5, NeuP2, SLO1, SLO2 / Published: 21/11/2025
A 46-year-old male self-presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with 3 months refractory headache, subacute forehead swelling (unknown duration) with acute periorbital oedema.
He has remarked nose blowing would magnify the pain, accompanied by blood and thick green mucous.
A GP phone consultant 2 months prior advised regular analgesia and sumatriptan. The patient’s pain was refractory to these, continuing only regular paracetamol. A systematic review revealed no preceding trauma nor ocular or neurological symptoms.
On examination, the patient is alert with no focal neurological signs. There is a tender swelling located mid-brow; 3x3cm. Bilateral periorbital oedema is noted below the eyes. Oscopic and dental exams are unremarkable. Extending the examination, there is no abdominal features or organomegaly.
The patient is a heavy smoker but reports no other medical history.
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Question 1 of 3
1. Question
What is the most appropriate first line of investigations to include?
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Question 2 of 3
2. Question
WCC/neutrophils and CRP come back mildly elevated. CT imaging is ordered and protocolled.
CT report: Normal appearance of the brain parenchyma. Normal ventricular system and CSF spaces. No acute infarct or haemorrhage. No Space occupying lesion (SOL), mass effect or midline shift.
There is complete opacification of the right maxillary, right ethmoids and both frontal sinuses. Significant obstruction of drainage pathways is suspected. Significant opacification of the right mastoids.
There is significant soft tissue swelling and inflammatory changes in both the superficial periorbital areas and at the mid forehead. There is a fluid collection along the forehead measuring 60x10mm. There seems to be a bone defect in the anterior inferior left frontal sinus which is in continuation with the subcutaneous collection.
Impression: Large collection over the forehead probably arising from a bone defect in the left frontal sinus.
What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
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Question 3 of 3
3. Question
What is the most likely causative organism for this infection from the list below?
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Module Content
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5 responses
Good case report.
This is a really interesting case with an interesting finding as well. We rarely see sinusitis get this severe.
This is an interesting case many thanks!
Very informative thanks for revision ,
excellant case