Chandler Classification of Orbital Complications

The Chandler Classification is used to grade the severity of orbital complications in the context of acute sinusitis.¹²
Chandler divided orbital complications into 5 types by increasing severity:
- Group 1: Preseptal cellulitis (edema and inflammation anterior to the orbital septum).
- Group 2: Orbital cellulitis (edema and inflammation extending beyond the orbital septum)
- Group 3: Subperiosteal abscess
- Group 4: Orbital abscess
- Group 5: Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Group	Features
I	Preseptal cellulitis (edema and inflammation anterior to the orbital septum).
II	Orbital cellulitis (edema and inflammation extends beyond the orbital septum)
III	Subperiosteal abscess
IV	Orbital abscess
V	Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Chandler, James R., David J. Langenbrunner, and Edward R. Stevens. “The pathogenesis of orbital complications in acute sinusitis.” The Laryngoscope 80.9 (1970): 1414-1428. ↩
Wong, Stephanie J., and Jessica Levi. “Management of pediatric orbital cellulitis: a systematic review.” International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 110 (2018): 123-129. ↩

Last updated October 17, 2022