Orbital Cellulitis Flashcards
why is the orbit particularly at risk for severe infection?
it is an easy portal of entry that is very close to & separated from germs and the CNS by easily corroded structures
what is proptosis, and what measured value is considered proptotic?
the outward protrusion of one eyeball from the socket due to pressure from behind, measured as >2mm difference between eyes
what are the 5 P’s that indicate orbital cellulitis?
Proptosis, Pain with movement, firm to Palpation, Problems with cranial nerves, Protrusion of conjunctiva
what separates pre- and post-orbital space?
orbital septum
every structure in the _____ is important for an ophthalmologist.
cavernous sinus (ICA, cranial nerves, ophthalmic vein all here)
Peri-orbital (pre-orbital) cellulitis
much less severe than orbital cellulitis; infection and inflammation is confined to the eyelids and structures anterior to the orbital septum (no pain, no chemosis, not an orbital process)
orbital disease
post-orbital infection that causes proptosis, conjunctival infection and chemosis, limited motility of the eye, visual changes, pain
most orbital disease is due to bacterial invasion from what peri-orbital structure?
paranasal sinuses (>90% of cases)
what is important about fungal infections of the eye (the 3 F’s)?
they are fast, fulminant, and ferocious
microbiology of orbital disease patterns in adults vs. children
adults usually have multiple organisms (GAS, staph, H. influenzae, anaerobes) while children more frequently have only one
who is at risk for fungus-induced orbital disease?
immunocompromised (HIV, transplant, people on steroids) and those with metabolic acidosis (diabetes)
how do you treat a post-septal fungal infection of the eye?
wide debridement and aggressive, early antimicrobials
