Orbital cellulitis: a rare complication after orbital blowout fracture.
OBJECTIVE
To report the incidence of orbital cellulitis after orbital blowout fracture.


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.


METHODS
All patients with orbital cellulitis and a history of recent orbital fracture.


METHODS
A medical record review of clinical history, imaging studies, and surgical and treatment outcome was performed.


METHODS
Resolution of orbital cellulitis and surgical and imaging findings.


RESULTS
Four patients (3 male; mean age, 30 years [range, 4.5-58]) were treated for orbital cellulitis complicating orbital fracture. All patients had evidence of paranasal sinusitis before or after the orbital injury, and 2 also reported forceful nose blowing after sustaining orbital trauma. Although 3 patients received prophylactic oral antibiotics after the fracture, this failed to prevent infection. Sinusitis commenced 1 to 2 weeks before and as late as 5 weeks after orbital injury. All patients were treated with IV antibiotics. Two developed an orbital abscess that required surgical drainage; 1 patient improved after an endonasal maxillary antrostomy. One patient improved on IV antibiotics alone and underwent fracture repair at a later stage. These 4 patients represent 0.8% of all cases of orbital fractures treated in the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Orbital cellulitis is a rare complication of orbital fracture, and seems to be more common when paranasal sinus infection preexists or occurs within several weeks of the injury. Oral antibiotics given after the orbital injury may not prevent orbital cellulitis or abscess formation. Surgery may be required to drain orbital abscess or in nonresolving cellulitis to drain the paranasal sinuses. Fracture repair, if indicated, should be delayed, particularly if an alloplastic implant is used.
Ben Simon
Guy J
GJ
Orbital, Plastic, and Lacrimal Clinic, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. guybensimon@gmail.com
Bush
Steven
S
Selva
Dinesh
D
McNab
Alan A
AA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents