Management of orbital cellulitis: a retrospective study

Background: Orbital cellulitis is an infectious involvement of the tissues posterior to the orbital septum causingsevere local and general complications. Material and methods: The aim of our work was to study the clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics of orbital cellulitis through a retrospective study of 89 cases collected between 2015 and 2019. The diagnosis of orbital cellulitis was based on clinical and imaging elements. Results: The average age was 17.5 years. Exophthalmos was noted in 33% of cases, ophthalmoplegia in 18% of cases, diplopia in 4.5% of cases and ocular hypertonia in 11% of cases. Orbital CT scan allowed the diagnosis of subperiosteal abscess in 20% of cases and orbital abscess in 10% of cases. Sinusitis was the main infectious origin in children, while dacryocystitis predominated in adults. All patients received parenteral antibiotherapy combined with corticotherapy after 48 hours. Complications occurred in 10 cases, dominated by exposure keratitis, panophthalmitis and optic atrophy with permanent blindness. Conclusions: We emphasize the importance of rapid diagnosis and urgent treatment of orbital cellulitis