Preseptal cellulitis



Introduction
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Clinical features
Investigations
Differential diagnosis
Management
Complications


Introduction

Preseptal cellulitis is sometimes also referred to as periorbital cellulitis. It is an infection of the soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum - this includes the eyelids, skin and subcutaneous tissue of the face, but not the contents of the orbit. This is in contrast to orbital cellulitis, which is an infection of the soft tissues behind the orbital septum, and is a much more serious infection.

Epidemiology

  • Incidence: 10.00 cases per 100,000 person-years
  • Peak incidence: 6-15 years
  • Sex ratio: 1:1
Condition Relative
incidence
Preseptal cellulitis1
Orbital cellulitis0.10
<1 1-5 6+ 16+ 30+ 40+ 50+ 60+ 70+ 80+

Pathophysiology

Infection usually spreads to the structures surrounding the orbit from other nearby sites, most commonly from breaks in the skin or local infections such as sinusitis or other respiratory tract infections. The most frequently causative organisms are Staph. aureus, Staph. epidermidis, streptococci and anaerobic bacteria.

Clinical features

Symptoms
  • The patient presents with a red, swollen, painful eye of acute onset. They are likely to have symptoms associated with fever.

Signs
  • Erythema and oedema of the eyelids, which can spread onto the surrounding skin
  • Partial or complete ptosis of the eye due to swelling
  • Orbital signs (pain on movement of the eye, restriction of eye movements, proptosis, visual disturbance, chemosis, RAPD) must be absent in preseptal cellulitis - their presence would indicate orbital cellulitis

Investigations

Investigations
  • Bloods - raised inflammatory markers
  • Swab of any discharge present
  • Contrast CT of the orbit may help to differentiate between preseptal and orbital cellulitis. It should be performed in all patients suspected to have orbital cellulitis

Differential diagnosis

Significant differentials

Management

Management
  • All cases should be referred to secondary care for assessment
  • Oral antibiotics are frequently sufficient - usually co-amoxiclav
  • Children may require admission for observation

Complications

Complications