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Virtual Pediatric Hospital: Paediapaedia: Orbital Cellulitis Paediapaedia: Neurological Diseases

Orbital Cellulitis

Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed


Clinical Presentation:
Preseptal cellulitis is usually found in the younger child (mean age 8 months old) while orbital cellulitis is usually found in older children - (mean age 10-12 years old).

Etiology/Pathophysiology:
Preseptal cellulitis is cellulitis involving the external soft tissues and eyelid. The orbital septum, a connective tissue reflection of the periosteum, inserts into the eyelids and separates them from the orbits.

Orbital inflammation is often caused by sinus infection because of the multiple venous channels that exists between the sinuses and orbits. Preseptal cellulitis must be differentiated from orbital cellulitis because orbital cellulitis has potential severe complications including orbital abscess, subperiosteal abscess, brain abscess, meningitis, optic neuritis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and blindness.

Pathology:
Not applicable

Imaging Findings:
Preseptal cellulitis appears as inflammatory changes involving the external soft tissues.

Orbital cellulitis can involve three separate compartments

DDX:

References:
See References Chapter.

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