Preseptal Cellulitis in Children: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Objectives: Preseptal cellulitis is an infection that affects the palpebra and the periorbital superficial tissue. This study is an evaluation of the clinical findings, treatment, and complications of patients hospitalized with preseptal cellulitis in a single clinic. Methods: The records of 29 patients with preseptal cellulitis who were hospitalized in the Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Education and Research Hospital Pediatric Infection Clinic between November 2012 and November 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of the 29 cases, 34.5% (n=10) were female and 65.5% (n=19) were male. The mean age was 61.76±46.95 months, and the mean length of hospital stay was 4.03±2.04 days. Periorbital swelling (72.4%) was the most common cause of complaint at hospital admission, and periorbital hyperemia and edema were observed in 93.1% of the clinical findings. Nine (52.9%) of 17 cases with predisposing factors were sinusitis-related. A blood culture was obtained in 21 (72.4%) cases. Imaging methods were used in 9 (31%) cases to support the diagnosis. All of the patients received broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy during hospitalization. The mean duration of antibiotic use was 10.10±3.41 days, including after discharge. None of the patients developed complications related to preseptal cellulitis. Conclusion: Preseptal cellulitis is a very common orbital infection, especially in childhood. Although it generally has a good prognosis, it can progress rapidly to the orbita and intracranial structures. An accurate clinical approach and rapid treatment can prevent the spread of infection and avoid serious complications.