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Orbital and Periorbital Cellulitis

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Orbital Cellulitis

This is an infection around the eyeball, involving the tissues behind the orbital septum. Features differentiating it from Periorbital Cellulitis are pain on movement, restricted eye movements, visual changes, abnormal pupil reactions, and proptosis (forward movement of the eyeball).


It's investigated with a CT.


It's a medical emergency, therefore requiring admission and IV Abx.

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“A left maxillary sinusitis (dark arrow) and facial / orbital cellulitis” © James Heilman, MD CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Periorbital Cellulitis

This is an infection of the eyelid and skin in front of the orbital septum. It can spread to and behind the optic septum, causing Orbital cellulitis. This spread is more common in children as they have a less developed septum.


Important Links:

https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/734 “Photograph showing orbital cellulitis which is a bacterial infection of the periocular tissues.” © Jonathan Trobe, M.D CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)

“Periorbital cellulitis in 20 years old man.” © Afrodriguezg CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)



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