Clinical Approach in Orbital Cellulitis Cases: Case Series

Pur po se: To evaluate the etiological factors, diagnosis, follow-up and treatment procedures in cases of orbital cellulitis. Ma te ri al and Met hod: A retrospective review was performed on medical records of patients with orbital cellulitis treated between 2009 and 2011 in our clinic. The patients were studied for age, ophthalmologic examination features, laboratory and radiology results, treatment modalities and the response to these treatments. Re sults: Eleven patients (7 male, 4 female) having an average age of 9.7 years (6 months-25 years) participated in the study. All patients had eyelid oedema, hyperemia and ocular pain; with chemosis in 3, gaze restriction in 6, relative afferent pupillary defect and proptosis in 4 cases. Orbital cellulitis was observed to occur secondary to paranasal sinusitis in 10 patients (90.9%) and 1 patient had only history of superior respiratory tract infection. Sinus infection was localized in ethmoid and maxillary sinuses in all except one case. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis in 8 patients. Surgical drainage was performed in 7 of 8 patients with abscess formation observed with radiological imaging. The remainder of the patients were followed with sole medical treatment. All patients recovered without any vision loss or life-threatening complication. Dis cus si on: Orbital cellulitis cases must be followed with radiologic imaging for any complication that may occur and patients with abscess should be evaluated for surgical drainage besides antimicrobial treatment.(Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 284-7)