Purpose : Orbital cellulitis is rare, but it could be from the serious complication of sinusitis
in children. It is often difficult to distinguish periorbital cellulitis from orbital cellulitis.
The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of orbital and periorbital
cellulitis in a pediatric population and to assess the predisposing factors and their complications.
Methods : Forty-one patients aged 18 years and younger who were admitted between January
2000 and December 2006 to Hanil General Hospital and Kyunghee University Hospital
with orbital or periorbital cellulitis. The retrospective analyses included clinical characteristics
of orbital and periorbital cellulitis, dermographics, past history, predisposing
factors, clinical presentations, treatments, and complications.
Results : Among 41 patients, 34 patients had periorbital cellulitis, 7 patients had orbital
cellulitis. While paranasal sinus disease was the most common predisposing cause in orbital
cases, skin lesion, insect bite, dacrocystitis and conjunctivitis were the common causes
in periorbital cases. In comparison with periorbital cases, orbital cases had higher level of
white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Blood cultures
were taken in 23 patients, but only one had Staphylococcus aureus from blood. Only
one case had surgical incision and drainage and recovered without complications.
Conclus ion : From the results of our data, when patient shows erythematous swelling of
periorbital area with opthalmoplegia, chemosis and proptosis, orbital CT scan is required
to make diagnosis of orbital cellulitis. Most cases of orbital cellulitis can be treated successfully
without surgical intervention. If there is no clinical improvement, repeated CT scan
and/or surgical intervention should be considered. (Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis 2008;15:
35-43)
Purpose : Orbital cellulitis is rare, but it could be from the serious complication of sinusitis
in children. It is often difficult to distinguish periorbital cellulitis from orbital cellulitis.
The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical features of orbital and periorbital
cellulitis in a pediatric population and to assess the predisposing factors and their complications.
Methods : Forty-one patients aged 18 years and younger who were admitted between January
2000 and December 2006 to Hanil General Hospital and Kyunghee University Hospital
with orbital or periorbital cellulitis. The retrospective analyses included clinical characteristics
of orbital and periorbital cellulitis, dermographics, past history, predisposing
factors, clinical presentations, treatments, and complications.
Results : Among 41 patients, 34 patients had periorbital cellulitis, 7 patients had orbital
cellulitis. While paranasal sinus disease was the most common predisposing cause in orbital
cases, skin lesion, insect bite, dacrocystitis and conjunctivitis were the common causes
in periorbital cases. In comparison with periorbital cases, orbital cases had higher level of
white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein. Blood cultures
were taken in 23 patients, but only one had Staphylococcus aureus from blood. Only
one case had surgical incision and drainage and recovered without complications.
Conclus ion : From the results of our data, when patient shows erythematous swelling of
periorbital area with opthalmoplegia, chemosis and proptosis, orbital CT scan is required
to make diagnosis of orbital cellulitis. Most cases of orbital cellulitis can be treated successfully
without surgical intervention. If there is no clinical improvement, repeated CT scan
and/or surgical intervention should be considered. (Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis 2008;15:
35-43)