Clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with orbital cellulitis Y. Uysal, V. Hürmeriç, T. Akun, M. Z. Bayraktar, K. Tunçer

Gülhane Tıp Dergisi 2007: 49: 81–86 Orbital cellulitis is classically defined as an infection of the orbital tissues behind the orbital septum. Improper treatment of orbital cellulitis may lead to serious complications, such as meningitis and brain abscess. In this clinical retrospective study, the authors aimed to evaluate the clinical features, etiologies and outcomes of treatment in patients presenting with orbital cellulitis. Medical charts of 17 cases, who were diagnosed to have orbital cellulitis between February 1995 and March 2006, were retrospectively reviewed. The presenting symptoms, results of ocular and periocular assessments, laboratory and radiologic findings, etiologic agents, along with medical and surgical treatment modalities administrated were recorded. There were 10 male and 7 female patients, and their ages ranged from 2 to 82 years. The follow-up period ranged from 2 months to 9 years. The sources of orbital cellulitis were found to be orbital trauma in 2 cases, implanted foreign body in 2 cases, dacryocysititis in 3 patients, paranasal sinusitis in 8 patients, and endogenous spread in 2 cases. Among these cases, one immunodeficient patient was deceased despite surgical enucleation and intensive systemic therapy. The rest of the cases did not reveal any relapse and none lost their vision following treatment. Orbital abscesses were surgically drained in 2 cases whereas in another case, it became granulation tissue needing further excision. It was concluded in this study that orbital cellulitis is a serious condition if not treated properly and is life threatening particularly in immunocompromized patients.

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