Investigation and management of adult periorbital and orbital cellulitis.

BACKGROUND

Orbital cellulitis has important complications. Despite this, there are few studies in the literature of large groups of cases of this condition.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective case analysis of all patients admitted with periorbital and orbital cellulitis between 2002 and 2004.

RESULTS

A total of 27 cases were included in the study. Of these, 25 had undergone a computed tomography scan, 19 of which had revealed significant sinus disease; 10 had had a microbiology result, with the most common organism being Streptococcus milleri; 20 had had a white cell count taken, with raised results in only 10; 12 had undergone surgery; and 25 had made a good recovery. One case had been found to be squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, sinus disease was the commonest cause of orbital cellulitis, with the commonest organism being Streptococcus milleri. Only 50 per cent of cases with proven disease had had a raised white cell count; this is therefore not a very sensitive test.