Orbital and Periorbital Cellulitis (2)

Question 1

Orbital Cellulitis:
What occurs here?

What are its key features that differentiate it from Periorbital cellulitis?

How is it managed?

Answer 1

➊ Infection around eyeball, involving tissues behind orbital septum

➋ Pain on movement, reduced eye movements, visual changes, abnormal pupil reactions, and proptosis (forward movement of the eyeball)

➌ Medical emergency requiring admission and IV Abx
• May need surgical drainage if abscess forms

Question 2

Periorbital Cellulitis:
What occurs here?

What is important to do here?
→ How is this done?

What’s a complication with this?
→ Who is more at risk of this?

Answer 2

➊ Infection around eyeball, involving tissues in front orbital septum

➋ Rule out orbital cellulitis
→ Hx and CT

➌ Can spread behind septum and cause orbital cellulitis
→ Young children as their orbital septum is less developed