Orbital abscess of rhinosinogenic origin may develop, either by contiguous spread of the infection or by a thrombophiebitic 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.
