Paranasal sinus infections are diseases most commonly seen during childhood and can cause serious complications in advanced cases that would have been prevented or limited with timely and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The paranasal sinuses continue to develop from birth to 20 years of age, and the age of the patient must be always considered in the diagnosis and treatment. Due to the proximity to vital tissues and organs, paranasal sinus infections may spread and cause infections of orbital, intracranial, vascular, and osseous structures. Neuroimaging is essential in the accurate diagnosis and early detection of these complications. While CT is mostly used in cases involving the bone, MR imaging is superior in cases involving soft tissues. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge of paranasal sinus infections and to discuss and demonstrate the imaging appearance of paranasal sinus infections and associated complications.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will gain strategies to describe the development of the normal paranasal sinuses and discuss the standard of care imaging techniques and the imaging findings of paranasal sinus infection with its common and rare complications in children.