Periorbital vs Orbital Cellulitis

Background

• Orbital Cellulitis may mimic Periorbital Cellulitis early in its course
• Orbital cellullitis
  • Most often due to ethmoid sinusitis
  • May also be due to orbital trauma, endophthalmitis, infection from teeth / middle ear
  • Not caused by extension of preriorbital cellulitis
• Periorbital cellulitis
  • Most often due to contiguous infection of soft tissues of face and eyelids

Concerning features for Orbital Cellulitis

1. Any of the following:
   1. Fever
   2. Ill appearance
   3. Blurred vision
   4. Proptosis
   5. Painful/limited EOM
   6. Diplopia
   7. Edema of optic disk
   8. Venous engorgement of retina

See Also

• Periorbital Swelling
• Orbital Cellulitis
• Periorbital Cellulitis

Source

• UpToDate

Tintinalli