Orbital and Periorbital Celulitis Flashcards
What is periorbital cellulitis?
An infection of the eyelid and surrounding soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum.
What is orbital cellulitis?
A serious infection involving the soft tissues of the orbit posterior to the orbital septum.
What is the main difference between periorbital and orbital cellulitis?
Periorbital cellulitis affects tissues anterior to the orbital septum, while orbital cellulitis is posterior.
What are the common causes of periorbital cellulitis?
Trauma, insect bites, or spread from adjacent skin infections like impetigo.
What are the common causes of orbital cellulitis?
Sinusitis, particularly ethmoid sinusitis, or spread from adjacent structures.
What are the typical symptoms of periorbital cellulitis?
Eyelid swelling, redness, and tenderness, but no proptosis or restriction of eye movements.
What are the typical symptoms of orbital cellulitis?
Painful eye movements, proptosis, vision changes, and fever.
What is the prevalence of periorbital and orbital cellulitis?
Both are relatively uncommon, with orbital cellulitis being less common but more serious.
What are the risk factors for orbital cellulitis?
Sinusitis, trauma, recent surgery, or immunosuppression.
What are the complications of untreated orbital cellulitis?
Vision loss, abscess formation, cavernous sinus thrombosis, or intracranial spread.
What are the key clinical signs of periorbital cellulitis?
Eyelid swelling and erythema without proptosis or restricted eye movements.
What are the key clinical signs of orbital cellulitis?
Proptosis, restricted and painful eye movements, decreased vision, and possibly systemic signs of infection.
What investigations are necessary for orbital cellulitis?
CT scan of the orbits and sinuses, blood tests (e.g., FBC, CRP), and microbiological cultures.
What is the first-line treatment for periorbital cellulitis?
Oral antibiotics for mild cases; intravenous antibiotics if severe or in high-risk patients.
What is the first-line treatment for orbital cellulitis?
Intravenous antibiotics and urgent ophthalmology review.
What antibiotics are commonly used for orbital cellulitis?
Broad-spectrum IV antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and metronidazole or piperacillin-tazobactam.
What is the role of imaging in orbital cellulitis?
CT imaging identifies the extent of infection and complications like abscess formation.
How is an orbital abscess managed?
Drainage via surgical intervention, often combined with antibiotics.
What are the differential diagnoses for orbital cellulitis?
Periorbital cellulitis, allergic reactions, dacryocystitis, or cavernous sinus thrombosis.
What is the orbital septum?
A fibrous membrane that separates the eyelid from the orbital contents, acting as a barrier to infection.
What clinical features help differentiate orbital from periorbital cellulitis?
Orbital cellulitis involves proptosis, painful eye movements, and vision changes, while periorbital does not.
What are potential long-term complications of orbital cellulitis?
Permanent vision loss or strabismus due to damage to orbital structures.
What is cavernous sinus thrombosis, and how is it related to orbital cellulitis?
A rare but life-threatening complication where infection spreads to the cavernous sinus, causing systemic symptoms.
What are signs of intracranial spread in orbital cellulitis?
Severe headache, altered mental status, neurological deficits, or seizures.
Why is prompt treatment crucial in orbital cellulitis?
Delayed treatment increases the risk of serious complications, including blindness and intracranial spread.
