title: Orbital abscess following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
abstract: The case is presented of an 80-year-old woman who developed an orbital abscess after undergoing routine phaco-emulsification cataract surgery to her right eye. She was treated by drainage via an anterior orbitotomy and a sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was cultured. The presenting signs and symptoms resolved and final visual acuity was 6/9 in the right eye. One possible aetiology was the introduction of skin flora to orbital tissues during the peribulbar administration of local anaesthetic for the cataract surgery. Alternatively, secondary haemorrhage with secondary infection may have occurred.
authors.affiliation: Orbital, Plastic and Lacrimal Unit, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. amcnab@bigpond.com
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: McNab
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002506:Cephalexin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002506:Cephalexin