Orbital cellulitis Flashcards
What is orbital cellulitis?
Infection of the structures behind the orbital septum.
What does orbital cellulitis affect?
Infection affecting the fat and muscles posterior to the orbital septum, within the orbit but not involving the globe
What does orbital cellulitis not affect?
The globe
What is orbital cellulitis usually due to?
Spreading upper respiratory tract infection from the sinuses
What is preorbital cellulitis?
A less serious superficial infection anterior to the orbital septum
What is preorbital cellultiis usually due to?
A superficial tissue injury (chalazion, insect bite etc…).
What can preorbital cellultiis progress to?
Orbital cellulitis
What type of situation is orbital cellulitis?
Medical emergency- urgent hospital admission and senior review
What are the possible presenting features of orbital cellulitis?
Redness and swelling around the eye
Severe ocular pain
Visual disturbance
Proptosis
Ophthalmoplegia/pain with eye movements
Eyelid oedema and ptosis
Drowsiness +/- Nausea/vomiting in meningeal involvement (Rare)
What is proptosis?
Bulging of the eye
How can preorbital cellulitis be differentiaed from orbital cellulitis?
Obital cellulitis will be present with:
–Reduced visual acuity
–Proptosis
–Ophthalmoplegia/pain with eye movements
What is the gold standard investigation for orbital cellulitis?
CT with contrast
What can a CT with contrast be used for?
To differentiate preorbital cellulitis from orbital cellulitis
What can be seen on a CT with contrast in someone presenting with orbital cellulitis?
Inflammation of the orbital tissues deep to the septum, sinusitis.
What are the other investigations that can be done for orbital cellulitis?
Full blood count
Blood culture and microbiological swab
Clinical examination
