A 18
Compare preseptal to orbital
cellulitis.
Signs, causing organisms and
management
Preseptal cellulitis orbital cellulitis
Inflammation and infection confined
to lids and periorbita anterior to
septum
Infection posterior to orbital septum &
frequently poly-microbial
80% of patients < 10 years and most
patients < 5 years
Usually, it occurs secondary to
trauma or skin infection in children
and adults
90% due to extension of acute or chronic
bacterial sinusitis; remainder are post
traumatic or surgery or secondary to
extension from other orbital or periorbital
infection, or endogenous with
hematogenous spread
Most common organisms are Staph
aureus, Staph epidermidis, Strept
species, and anaerobes
Most common organisms are Strept
pneumonia, staph aureus, strept pyogenes,
H influenza
Tender, red, periorbita and lid
swelling. Patient is well, no fever
Rapid onset of sever malaise & fever
Swollen lids, red, warm and tender
Visual acuity, Pupils, extra-ocular
movements are all intact; No
proptosis
Proptosis (lateral & down), Restriction of
extra-ocular movement’s, Pain on globe
movement
Teenagers and adults can be closely
followed as outpatients with PO
antibiotics
Do CT- Scan of orbit and sinuses to confirm
sinus disease, rule out mass or orbital
foreign body, rule out orbital or sub-
periosteal abscess
Children under 5 years may have
bacteremia. It is a more severe
disease, need intravenous 3rd
generation cephalosporin antibiotics
•Admit to hospital
•Do Blood culture & start broad
spectrum IV antibiotics to cover gram
positive cocci, H. influenza, anaerobes
•Children: ampicillin + cloxacillin
•Adults: Typically, nafcillin and 3rd
generation cephalosporin and
metronidazole
Surgical drainage of abscess may be
necessary; do not violate septum
and cause orbital cellulitis
Monitor optic nerve functions every 4
hours: visual acuity, Pupillary reactions,
color vision, light brightness; also monitor
temperature, proptosis and , extra-ocular
movement restriction
Progress of infection or no
improvement means
Abscess: repeat CT-scan as needed and
drain abscess and sinus as needed
Decreased VA, positive relative
afferent pupillary defect,
prolonged high IOP means
Orbital apex syndrome or cavernous sinus
thrombosis