Orbital Cellulitis: Defining Multidisciplinary Approach as the Need of the Hour

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine epidemiological profile of cases admitted with suspicion of pre or post septal cellulitis and to define and evaluate the various factors associated with the aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and management of orbital and preseptal cellulitis via a one year study of ten cases presenting to a tertiary care hospital in western Rajasthan, India. All patients presenting to our department or being transferred from other departments to us with the diagnosis of pre/post septal cellulitis from the March of 2017 to February 2018 were considered for this case series. Data compilation of these patients was done which included age, sex, chief complain, duration of illness, associated co-morbidities, time of presentation, management plan undertaken and associated radiological findings. All these aspects were then evaluated. Our study included 10 cases. Of these 8 were less than 14 years and 2 were over 50 years. Both the adults were female and were positive for Diabetes Mellitus type two. 80% of these patients presented between the duration of November to February with maximum (40%) in the month of December. In 7 of these 10 patients, the cellulitis was associated with underlying sinusitis. Six patients were admitted directly from ENT OPD while other 4 were being managed in other ward before being transferred to us. All patients were managed conservatively except 1 who required surgical intervention. Pre/post septal cellulitis is a dangerous condition in which prompt intervention needs to be undertaken as it can be difficult to predict what course it will follow. Radiological evaluation should be done in all cases as most cases are associated with an underlying sinus infection. Also, it is more common in paediatric age group and the patient may initially be referred to an ophthalmologist or a paediatrician in which case it becomes very important that a good working interdepartmental collaboration be present so that correct management plan can be followed.