Contributor: Meghan Hurley MD
Educational Pearls:
What is Cellulitis?
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A common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection.
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Caused by various types of bacteria, with Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species being the most common.
What is Preseptal Cellulitis and why is it more serious than facial cellulitis?
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Preseptal Cellulitis, also known as Periorbital Cellulitis, is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues in the eyelid and the surrounding area.
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This requires prompt and aggressive treatment to avoid progression into Orbital Cellulitis.
How is Preseptal Cellulitis treated?
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Oral antibiotics for five to seven days.
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In the setting of trauma (scratching bug bites) Clindamycin or TMP-SMX (for MRSA coverage) and Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or Cefpodoxime or Cefdinir.
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If there is no trauma, monotherapy with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is appropriate.
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Check immunization status against H.influenzae and adjust appropriately.
What is Orbital Cellulitis, how is it diagnosed, and why is it more serious than Preseptal Cellulitis?
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Orbital cellulitis involves the tissues behind the eyeball and within the eye socket itself.
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Key features include:
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Eye pain.
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Proptosis (Bulging of the eye out of its normal position).
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Impaired eye movement.
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Blurred or double vision.
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This can lead to three very serious complications:
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Orbital Compartment Syndrome. This can push eye forward, stretch optic nerve, and threaten vision.
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Meningitis given that the meninges of the brain are continuous with optic nerve.
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Endophthalmitis, which is inflammation of the inner coats of the eye. This can also threaten vision.
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If suspected, get a CT of the orbits and/or an MRI to look for an abscess behind the eyes.
How is Orbital Cellulitis treated?
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IV antibiotics. Cover for meningitis with Ceftriaxone and Vancomycin.
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Add Metronidazole until intracranial involvement has been ruled out.
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Drain the abscess surgically. Usually this is performed by an ophthalmologist or an otolaryngologist.
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Admit to the hospital.
References
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Bae C, Bourget D. Periorbital Cellulitis. 2023 Jul 17. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29261970.
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Chaudhry IA, Shamsi FA, Elzaridi E, Al-Rashed W, Al-Amri A, Al-Anezi F, Arat YO, Holck DE. Outcome of treated orbital cellulitis in a tertiary eye care center in the middle East. Ophthalmology. 2007 Feb;114(2):345-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2006.07.059. PMID: 17270683.
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Seltz LB, Smith J, Durairaj VD, Enzenauer R, Todd J. Microbiology and antibiotic management of orbital cellulitis. Pediatrics. 2011 Mar;127(3):e566-72. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-2117. Epub 2011 Feb 14. PMID: 21321025.
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Wong SJ, Levi J. Management of pediatric orbital cellulitis: A systematic review. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Jul;110:123-129. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.05.006. Epub 2018 May 8. PMID: 29859573.
Summarized by Jeffrey Olson MS2 | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII