Orbital cellulitis is a dangerous infection with potentially serious complications.
Bacteria from a sinus infection (often Haemophilus influenzae) usually cause this condition in children. Children up to age 6 - 7 seem to be particularly susceptible to infection with this type of bacteria. However, the rate of severe orbital cellulitis has dropped steadily since the introduction of HiB (Haemophilus influenzae B) vaccine.
Orbital cellulitis is a dangerous infection with potentially serious complications.
Bacteria from a sinus infection (often Haemophilus influenzae) usually cause this condition in children. Children up to age 6 - 7 seem to be particularly susceptible to infection with this type of bacteria. However, the rate of severe orbital cellulitis has dropped steadily since the introduction of HiB (Haemophilus influenzae B) vaccine.
The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and beta-hemolytic streptococci may also cause orbital cellulitis.
Other causes include a stye on the eyelid, bug bites, or a recent eyelid injury.
Orbital cellulitis infections in children may get worse very quickly and can lead to blindness. Immediate medical attention is needed.
symptoms of orbital cellulitis
The following are the most common symptoms of orbital cellulitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms appear slowly and may include:
Swelling of the upper and lower eyelid. Orbit becomes swollen and bulges. Eye may appear red. Decrease in the child's ability to move the eyeball.
The patient with orbital cellulitis may be of any age or sex. There will be noticeable lid edema and redness, distention, proptosis, and significant pain upon palpation. Additionally, there will be diplopia from extraocular motility limitations. There typically will be a precipitating factor such as penetrating lid trauma, mucormycosis, orbital medial wall blow-out fracture, severe lid infectious disease, bite wounds, meningitis, sinusitis and sinus infection, septicemia, ketoacidosis, or dental abscess. Vision loss and an afferent pupil defect may often be present. The patient will also be systemically ill and have a fever.
Treatment
The patient usually needs to stay in the hospital. Treatment includes antibiotics given through a vein. Surgery may be needed to drain the abscess.
An orbital cellulitis infection can get worse very quickly. The patient must be carefully checked every few hours.
A normally healthy person is usually not hospitalized for mild or moderate cellulitis. General treatment measures include elevation of the infected area, rest, and application of warm, moist compresses to the infected area. The doctor will want to see the patient again to make sure that the antibiotic treatment is effective in stopping the infection.
Persons at high risk for severe cellulitis will probably be hospitalized for treatment and monitoring. Antibiotics may be given intravenously to patients with severe cellulitis. Complications such as deep infection, or bone or joint infections, might require surgical drainage and a longer course of antibiotic treatment. Extensive tissue destruction may require plastic surgery to repair. In cases of orbital cellulitis caused by a sinus infection, surgery may be required to drain the sinuses.
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