Preorbital Cellulitis

Question 1

What is preorbital cellulitis?

Answer 1

Infection of the soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum including eyelids, skin and tissue of face but not orbit

Question 2

What is the common cause of preorbital cellulitis?

Answer 2

• Staph aureus
• Staph epidermidis
• Streptococci

Question 3

How does preorbital cellulitis present?

Answer 3

• Acute onset of red, swollen, painful eye
• Fever
• Erythema/Oedema of eyelids and skin
• Ptosis
• NO orbital signs (pain on movement, visual disturbance etc)

Question 4

How is preorbital cellulitis investigated?

Answer 4

Bloods - raised inflammatory markers
CT orbit - differentiate between preorbital and orbital

Question 5

How is preorbital cellulitis managed?

Answer 5

• Referral to opthalnology
• Oral Abx usually sufficient
• Children need admission for observation as can develop orbital