Orbitaphlegmone

Preschooler
with right eye swelling. Axial CT with contrast of the orbits shows opacification of the bilateral ethmoid and maxillary sinuses along with pre and post-septal inflammation of the right orbit. No subperiosteal abscess was seen.The diagnosis was orbital cellulitis.
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School ager
with left eye swelling Axial CT with contrast of the orbits shows opacification of the left ethmoid sinus and bilateral sphenoid sinuses along with pre and post-septal inflammation of the left orbit. A lenticular fluid collection with rim enhancement is present along the medial wall of the left orbit.The diagnosis was orbital cellulitis with a subperiosteal abscess.
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
Toddler with
a swollen right orbit. Clinical image shows extensive erythema and swelling of the right orbit. Copious nasal secretions are also present.The diagnosis was right orbital cellulitis.
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
School ager
with right eyelid swelling and redness and eye pain. Clinical image shows extensive erythema and swelling of the right orbit.The diagnosis was right orbital cellulitis.
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

Orbital infection is a relatively commonly encountered pathology.

It comprises of three main clinical entities with the most important distinction between that of orbital and periorbital cellulitis:

  • periorbital cellulitis (preseptal cellulitis) is limited to the soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum 
    • often managed with oral antibiotics
  • orbital cellulitis (postseptal cellulitis) extends posteriorly to the orbital septum 
    • a more serious condition requiring hospitalization and parenteral antibiotics
    • complications such as intraorbital abscess formation may require surgical intervention
  • endophthalmitis involves an intraocular extension of infection
    • requires intraocular antibiotics
    • possible choroidal debridement or vitrectomy 

Epidemiology

Orbital infections represent more than half of primary orbital disease processes . These infections typically present in children and young adults but can affect any age group.

Clinical presentation

  • proptosis
  • painful ophthalmoplegia
  • chemosis
  • reduced visual acuity

Pathology

Etiology

Periorbital cellulitis often results from contiguous spread of an infection of the face, teeth, or ocular adnexa. Orbital cellulitis typically occurs as an extension of paranasal sinusitis . Endophthalmitis is most commonly secondary to ocular surgery or penetrating injury.

Radiographic features

Urgent imaging is indicated to assess the anatomic extent of disease, including postseptal, cavernous sinus and intracranial involvement; evaluate for sources of contiguous spread, e.g. sinusitis or trauma; and identify orbital abscesses that require exploration and drainage .  CT is the imaging investigation of choice as it is:

  • readily available at all hours and quick
  • ideal for assessing for underlying sinus disease
  • will identify a subperiosteal reaction or intracranial extension
CT
Periorbital cellulitis

Diffuse soft-tissue thickening and areas of enhancement anterior to the orbital septum are seen in periorbital cellulitis. It is very difficult to differentiate between preseptal edema and periorbital cellulitis on CT .

Orbital cellulitis
Endophthalmitis

Findings are often non-specific, though choroidal enhancement may be seen in the early phases.

MRI

Rarely performed, as not usually necessary.  Like CT, it will identify a subperiosteal abscess as:

  • T1: low signal
  • T2: high signal
  • DWI/ADC: diffusion restriction
  • T1 + C: rim enhancement

MRI may occasionally have a role in diagnosing endophthalmitis since the presentation can often be non-specific. Key findings include:

  • T2 FLAIR: high signal
  • DWI/ADC: diffusion restriction in the affected globe

Treatment and prognosis

Periorbital cellulitis is treated with oral antibiotics. Orbital cellulitis is treated with intravenous antibiotics. However, if a subperiosteal abscess is present, surgical drainage may be necessary .

Complications

Complications of orbital cellulitis include :

Differential diagnoses

See also

Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Orbitaphlegmone:
Sinusitis
 
Wikipedia • CC BY-SA 3.0
Sinusthrombose
 
www.eurorad.org • CC by-nc-sa-4.0
subperiostaler
Abszess der Orbita
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
Orbitaabszess
 
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0