J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2013 Mar;54(3):391-395. 10.3341/jkos.2013.54.3.391.

Clinical Features of Orbital Cellulitis in Children

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. hychoi@pusan.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The present study reviews the clinical features of orbital cellulitis in childhood for early diagnosis and proper treatment.
METHODS
The authors performed a retrospective study by computed tomography (CT) on children under 14 years of age diagnosed with orbital cellulitis and admitted to Pusan National University Hospital from 2003 to 2010.
RESULTS
In total, 27 patients were identified (range 4 months to 14 years). Periorbital swelling was the most common initiating symptom, followed by fever and conjunctival injection. Paranasal sinus disease was the most common predisposing factor. Preseptal cellulitis was the most common finding, followed by subperiosteal abscess, orbital cellulitis, and orbital abscess. All patients underwent a blood culture; none were positive. Intravenous antibiotics therapy was performed empirically and was effective in all cases. No patients suffered from permanent complications except recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
Orbital cellulitis in children presents with periorbital swelling, fever, conjunctival injection in association with sinusitis, and upper respiratory infection (URI). A CT study is a reliable diagnostic option for the early detection and localization in the pediatric orbital cellulitis. Early empirical antibiotic therapy is mandatory for successful treatment.

Keyword

Orbit; Orbital cellulitis; Preseptal cellulitis

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cellulitis
Child
Early Diagnosis
Fever
Humans
Orbit
Orbital Cellulitis
Paranasal Sinus Diseases
Retrospective Studies
Sinusitis
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

  • Figure 1. Age, Sex, Classification of 27 children with orbital cellulitis.

  • Figure 2. Initial Symptoms and signs of orbital cellulitis in children.

  • Figure 3. Predisposing factors of orbital cellulitis in children.


Reference

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