Spontaneous subconjunctival abscess because of Haemophilus influenzae.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of a spontaneous subconjunctival abscess in a patient with no previous ocular surgery or trauma.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
We report a case of a subconjunctival abscess caused by Haemophilus influenzae after several days of worsening conjunctivitis. Computed tomography scans of the orbits confirmed an abscess cavity adjacent to the globe without orbital extension. The abscess was spontaneously draining at presentation and resolved completely with topical and oral antibiotic therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first-described case of spontaneous subconjunctival abscess formation in an immunocompetent individual unrelated to preexisting ocular pathology, previous ocular surgery, or trauma. H. influenzae species may possess the ability to penetrate an intact conjunctiva and develop subconjunctival abscess. We recommend that patients presenting with bacterial conjunctivitis be closely examined to rule out subconjunctival abscess, which may require additional aggressive medical or surgical management.
Brooks
Clifford W
CW
Brooke Army Medical Center, Ophthalmology Service, TX 78234-6200, USA. clifford.w.brooks@gmail.com
Demartelaere
Sheri L
SL
Johnson
Anthony J
AJ
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D011804:Quinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D014640:Vancomycin; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D014031:Tobramycin