Orbital Cellulitis

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

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

• Intraconal - within the muscle cone formed by the rectus muscles. Intraconal cellulitis is identified by obliteration of fat shadows within the muscle cone.
• Extraconal - between the periosteum and the muscle cone
• Subperiosteal - between the orbital wall and the periosteum. Extension of the inflammatory process into the subperiosteal and periosteal tissue produces soft tissue swelling and masses in these areas.

DDX:

• Not applicable

References:
See References Chapter.

Section Top | Title Page

URL: http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/