Periorbital vs Orbital Cellulitis

Background

• Important to distinguish between these two conditions
  • Orbital Cellulitis may mimic Periorbital Cellulitis early in its course
• Orbital cellulitis most often 2/2 ethmoid sinusitis
  • May also be 2/2 orbital trauma, endophthalmitis, infectious infection from teeth / middle ear
• Periorbital cellulitis most often 2/2 contiguous infection of soft tissues of face and eyelids
• Periorbital cellulitis does not lead to orbital cellulitis

Concern for Orbital Cellulitis

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