"Demodicosis" Mimicking PreSeptal Cellulitis: Severe Periocular and Facial Inflammation Caused by "Normal" Skin Flora.

Due to their relatively high prevalence and commensalism, the pathogenicity of Demodex mites has been debated. Recent data, however, show Demodex to be associated with skin and ocular surface diseases such as rosacea, blepharitis, and keratitis. Here the authors report the first known case, to the best of the their knowledge, of Demodex infestation mimicking preseptal cellulitis in an adult human. A 29-year-old male bilaterally blind from advanced retinopathy of prematurity presented with a 2-month history of right-greater-than-left upper eyelid and periocular/cheek swelling, redness, and ocular discharge that did not resolve with oral antibiotics or oral steroids. Based on MRI findings, biopsies of the right lacrimal gland, right orbital fat, and right upper eyelid preseptal skin were obtained which revealed marked intrafollicular Demodex mite density and budding yeasts in the upper eyelid skin. This case serves to alert clinicians to this entity that may not otherwise be usually considered in ophthalmic clinical practice.

Radiological differentiation between bacterial orbital cellulitis and invasive fungal sino-orbital infections.

PURPOSE: Invasive fungal orbital infections (IFOI) may be difficult to differentiate from sinogenic bacterial orbital cellulitis (OC). This study investigates the features differentiating OC from IFOI on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Retrospective study of adult patients with sinogenic OC and IFOI with pre-intervention MRI. Patients without post-septal involvement, non-sinogenic OC (e.g.: secondary to trauma) and poor-quality scans were excluded. Independent Sample's t test and Fisher's exact test were conducted with p < 0.05 deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: Eleven cases each of OC (Mean age: 41.6 ± 18.4 years-old, Male: 10) and IFOI (Mean age: 65.0 ± 16.6 years-old, Male: 9) between 2006 and 2023. IFOI patients were older, more likely immunocompromised and had a lower mean white-cell count (p value = 0.005, 0.035 and 0.017, respectively). The ethmoid and maxillary sinuses were most commonly involved in both entities. Pre-septal and lacrimal gland involvement were more common in OC (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). Infiltrative OC orbital lesions were poorly demarcated, whilst those in IFOI were expansile/mass-like invading the orbit from the adjacent paranasal sinuses. Specific IFOI features included loss-of-contrast-enhancement (LoCE) of paranasal sinus tissues with orbital extension. Extra-orbital and -sinonasal extension indicative of IFOI included contiguous skull base or pterygopalatine fossa involvement, retro-antral and masticator space stranding and vasculitis. CONCLUSION: This study describes the key MRI features of IFOI including differentiating markers from OC. These specific features, such as LoCE of the paranasal and orbital soft tissues, the location and pattern of contiguous soft-tissue involvement, provide expedient identification of IFOI which necessitate early surgical intervention for microbiological confirmation of an invasive fungal pathology.

Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Orbital Subperiosteal Abscesses: A Comparison of Pediatric, Adolescent, and Adult Populations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the microbiology and antibiotic resistance profiles of orbital subperiosteal abscesses (SPA) among 3 age cohorts. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center through a medical record search to identify patients with orbital cellulitis and SPA on imaging from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2022. Patients were categorized into pediatric (<9 years old), adolescent (9-18 years old), and adult (>18 years old) cohorts. Primary outcomes included culture and antibiotic susceptibility results. Secondary outcomes included antibiotic therapy and surgical intervention. RESULTS: Of the 153 SPA patients included, 62 (40.5%) were in the pediatric cohort (4 months-8 years, mean 5.0 ± 2.7), 51 (33.3%) were adolescent (9-18 years, 12.7 ± 2.8), and 40 (26.1%) were adult (19-95, 51.8 ± 19.3). Viridians group Streptococci were the most frequent organisms isolated across groups. The anaerobic infection rate was higher in the adult compared to the pediatric group (23.0% vs, 4.0%, p = 0.017), while that of the adolescent did not differ significantly from either. Pediatric patients carried a lower rate of clindamycin resistance than adolescent and adult cohorts, who shared similar rates (0 vs. 27.0% and 28.0%, respectively; p = 0.016). There were progressive increases in duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy ( p < 0.195) and rate of surgical intervention ( p < 0.001) going from younger to older cohorts. CONCLUSION: Organisms isolated from orbital SPA from the past 2 decades demonstrate a predominance of Streptococcal species. Older age may be associated with anaerobic infection, clindamycin resistance, and more aggressive management. Adolescent infections are more similar to adult rather than pediatric counterparts but may require less aggressive management than the former.

Microbiology of bacterial orbital cellulitis-tertiary institutional experiences in South Australia: a multi-centre retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This study describes the microbiology of bacterial orbital cellulitis (OC) over an 11-year period and its clinical associations at three tertiary institutions in Adelaide, South Australia. METHODS: Multi-centre retrospective study of the microbiology of bacterial OC between January 2012 and August 2022. Pre-septal cellulitis was excluded. Differences in means were determined by the Independent Samples t-test, and categorical data was analysed via Pearson's Chi square. A P-value < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: 99 patients (male: 69, mean age: 22.0 ± 23.8 years old), of which 70.7% were aged ≤ 18 years. Sinus and orbital abscess cultures had the greatest positive yield (73.7%). Frequency of organisms: Streptococcus species (34.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (28.3%), Haemophilus species (5.1%), mixed anaerobes (3.0%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.0%), Moraxella catarrhalis (1.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.0%), Corynebacterium species (1.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.0%), Proteus mirabilis (1.0%), Citrobacter koseri (1.0%), and Enterococcus species (1.0%). Streptococcus species predominated in the paediatric population, with a statistically significant difference in mean age between Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus (14.1 ± 16.5 vs 27.6 ± 24.6 years old, respectively) (P = 0.028). No organism was cultured in 32.3% of cases. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounted for 28.6% of all Staphylococcus aureus isolates, with 50% occurring between 2021 and 2022. CONCLUSION: Yearly microbiological trends have remained largely constant in South Australia. The causative organism was not identified in 32.3% of cases, further emphasising appropriate empirical antibiotics, and obtaining microbiology from various sources. MRSA OC remains of increased clinical and public health concern and may be associated with a more aggressive disease course.

Paediatric orbital and periorbital infections.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study is a review of recent literature in the diagnosis and management of preseptal cellulitis, orbital cellulitis and dacryocystitis, including causative organisms, diagnosis and medical or surgical therapy and potential complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances in vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae B have resulted in a shift in the most common causative organisms of preseptal and orbital cellulitis. Management of orbital cellulitis has been advanced by adjuvant corticosteroids, and subperiosteal abscess volumes of more than 1250 ml has been shown as predictive for requiring potential surgical intervention. SUMMARY: Periorbital infections require prompt evaluation and management. Although the infectious organisms in both preseptal and orbital cellulitis include Staphylococcus/Streptococcus species, management may differ significantly on the basis of the nidus of infection, presenting signs and symptoms, and response to initial medical management.

Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Associated With Orbital Cellulitis: A Report of 6 Cases and Review of Literature.

PURPOSE: To describe risk factors, clinical parameters, treatment, and prognosis for patients with septic cavernous sinus thrombosis presenting with orbital cellulitis. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 6 patients identified with septic cavernous sinus thrombosis and orbital cellulitis confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging at a tertiary care center from January 1980 to December 2016. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, risk factors, symptoms, etiology, radiographic diagnosis, complications, treatments, and outcomes. In addition, a literature review was performed from 2005 to 2018, and 119 cases of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis confirmed by imaging were included for aggregate comparison. This study adheres to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki, and institutional review board approval was obtained. RESULTS: All 6 cases presented with headache, fever, ocular motility deficit, periorbital edema, and proptosis. The primary source of infection included sinusitis (n = 4) and bacteremia (n = 2). Identified microorganisms included methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3) and Streptococcus anginosus (n = 1). All cases were treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation, and one case underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. The mean time between initial presentation to diagnosis of cavernous sinus thrombosis was 2.8 days, and the average length of hospital admission was 21 days. The mortality rate was 0%, but 4 cases were discharged with neurological deficits including vision loss (n = 1) and ocular motility disturbance (n = 3). Literature review produced an additional 119 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnostic imaging with contrast-enhanced CT or MRI should be initiated in patients with risk factors and ocular symptoms concerning for cavernous sinus thrombosis. Treatment entails early administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, anticoagulation, and surgical drainage when applicable.

Clostridium perfringens panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens is an uncommon pathogen in endophthalmitis, causing rapid destruction of ocular tissues. Clostridium perfringens infection typically occurs after penetrating injury with soil-contaminated foreign bodies. CASE REPORT: Here, we describe the case of a 17-year-old male who sustained a penetrating injury with a metallic intraocular foreign body and who rapidly developed severe C. perfringens panophthalmitis with orbital cellulitis. He was managed by systemic and intravitreal antibiotics, resulting in preservation of the globe, but a poor visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Clostridial endophthalmitis secondary to penetrating injuries is a fulminant infection, almost always resulting in loss of the globe in the case of advanced infection. When feasible, early vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics should be considered in patients with penetrating eye injuries with contaminated foreign bodies.

Serratia liquefaciens Causing Severe Ocular Damage in Noncontact Lens Wearer.

Serratia liquefaciens is a rarely encountered gram-negative organism in ophthalmology practice. The only reported ocular infections are from contamination of contact lenses. The authors report the first case of a patient who developed orbital cellulitis secondary to severe S. liquefaciens microbial keratitis.

Necrotizing Orbital Cellulitis Secondary to Odontogenic Streptococcus constellatus.

A 69-year-old woman with orbital cellulitis secondary to odontogenic Streptococcus constellatus was transferred to the authors' institution for surgical management of infection refractory to intravenous antibiotics. She underwent debridement with preservation of the globe, recovering full motility. Visual recovery was limited by optic nerve ischemia. This case supports the importance of urgent surgical drainage in necrotizing orbital infections secondary to odontogenic Streptococcus constellatus.

Clinical and microbiologic features of dacryocystitis-related orbital cellulitis.

Dacryocystitis-related orbital cellulitis is a relatively rare condition, and large case series of this clinical entity have been reported. This study was undertaken to identify a larger cohort of patients with this ailment, with the intent of defining its clinical and microbiologic features. Case logs from four institutions were reviewed to identify patients that suffered from dacryocystitis-related orbital cellulitis. A retrospective chart review was then performed to identify clinical features, management strategies, microbiologic features, and outcomes. A dedicated statistical software package was utilized to identify correlations between these variables. 13 patients (7 females, 6 males; mean age = 57.2 years, range = 7-89 years) were identified. One patient carried a diagnosis of immunosuppressive disease. All patients underwent emergent surgical drainage and received intravenous antibiotics. Primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction was found to be the underlying etiology in nine cases (69.2%), whereas four patients suffered from specific causes of their obstructions. An average of 1.07 organisms/patient (standard deviation = 0.49 organisms/patient) were recovered from microbiologic cultures, and Gram-positive bacteria represented the majority of cultured organisms. All patients experienced either stable or improved vision upon discharge. The relationships between a specific etiology and the possibility of vision loss or the number of organisms cultured, between the number of organisms cultured and vision loss, and immunosuppression and vision loss or the number of organisms cultured were all not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Dacryocystitis-related orbital cellulitis most commonly occurs in adult patients who do not carry immunosuppressive diagnoses and suffer from primary obstructions. Multiple microbiologic species may cause this problem, although Gram-positive organisms are most common. With appropriate management, stable or improved vision can be achieved.

Orbital cellulitis and corneal ulcer due to Cedecea: First reported case and review of the literature.

Cedecea is a gram-negative bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae, rarely associated with human infection. We report the first case of an orbital cellulitis and corneal ulcer due to Cedecea in a patient who sustained a motor vehicle accident and was then found to have a retained wooden orbital foreign body.

Negative pressure wound therapy in preseptal orbital cellulitis complicated with necrotizing fasciitis and preseptal abscess.

PURPOSE: Preseptal cellulitis (PC) may be locally complicated with abscess formation and necrotizing fasciitis. If not treated promptly and adequately, it may result in further complications. The authors report a series of patients where negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) proved a safe and valuable adjunct therapy in avoiding complications of PC and in accelerating wound healing. METHODS: A 4 patient case series. Four male patients (11 months to 58 years old) with unilateral complicated PC. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were admitted with PC and treated initially with specific intravenous antibiotic therapy. These patients did not respond adequately; therefore, surgical drainage and/or debridement were performed. After surgery, persistent edema and purulent discharge was observed prompting the need for adjunct NPWT every 48 to 72 hours. NPWT is the use of vacuum through a wound filler material covered with an airtight drape connected to a pump. Complete ophthalmologic examination was performed after each 48-hour cycle. Length of hospital stay, days from surgery to discharge, days from start of NPWT to discharge, clinical improvement, and safety. RESULTS: Four patients were diagnosed with PC between 2 and 5 days of evolution. Two diabetic adults developed the condition secondary to trauma, the adolescent as a result of a cosmetic piercing, and the infant associated to sinusitis. NPWT reached -125 mm·Hg, except for the infant who received -75 mm·Hg. The average number of days necessary for improvement with NPWT was 6.7 days. Only 2 patients required surgical reconstruction. Time from debridement to discharge was in average 13.5 days. No ocular complications were observed, and follow up was satisfactory with normal eyelid function and aesthetics and preserved visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: NPWT proved to be safe and effective for treating locally complicated PC as an adjuvant therapy to antibiotic and surgical treatment that decreased the length of hospital stay, and the time for recovery in patients that were slow responders. No ocular complications were observed in any of these patients' follow up ranging from 1 to 4 years.

C-Reactive Protein As a Marker for Initiating Steroid Treatment in Children With Orbital Cellulitis.

PURPOSE: To determine both the benefit of systemic steroids in pediatric patients with orbital cellulitis and to assess the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as a marker for starting steroids. METHODS: Prospective, comparative interventional study. Pediatric patients aged 1 to 18 years admitted to a tertiary care children's hospital with a diagnosis of orbital cellulitis from October 2012 to March 2014 were included in the study. All patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics, and patients with subperiosteal abscess who met previously published criteria for surgical decompression underwent combined transorbital drainage and/or endoscopic sinus surgery. CRP was measured daily as a biomarker of inflammation, and when below 4 mg/dl, patients were started on oral prednisone 1 mg/kg per day for 7 days. Patients whose families did not consent to steroid treatment served as the control group. Patients were followed after discharge until symptoms resolved and all medications were discontinued. RESULTS: Thirty-one children were diagnosed with orbital cellulitis during the study period. Of these 31 children, 24 received oral steroids (77%) and 7 did not (23%). There were 19 males and 5 females in the steroid group with an average age of 8.1 years, and 6 males and 1 female in the nonsteroid group with an average age of 7.1 years (p = 0.618). Thirteen patients (54%) in the steroid group and 2 patients (29%) in the nonsteroid group underwent sinus surgery with or without orbitotomy (p = 0.394). The average CRP at the onset of steroid treatment was 2.8 mg/dl (range: 0.5-4). Patients who received oral steroids were admitted for an average of 3.96 days. In comparison, patients who did not receive steroids were admitted for an average of 7.17 days (p < 0.05). Once CRP was ≤4 mg/dl, patients treated with steroids remained in the hospital for another 1.1 days, while patients who did not receive steroids remained hospitalized for another 4.9 days (p < 0.01). In the steroid group, 2 families reported increased hyperactivity in their children while on steroids. There was 1 case in each group of recurrence of symptoms after discharge from the hospital. Average follow-up time was 2.4 months in the steroid group and 2 months in the nonsteroid group (p = 0.996). At last visit, all patients returned to their baseline ophthalmic examination. There were no cases of vision loss or permanent ocular disability in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results give further evidence of the safety and benefit of systemic steroids in children with orbital cellulitis. Futhermore, this is the first study to suggest a standardized starting point (CRP ≤ 4 mg/dl) and dosing schedule (oral prednisone 1 mg/kg for 7 days) for children with orbital cellulitis. Patients who received systemic steroids after CRP dropped below 4 mg/dl were discharged from the hospital earlier than patients who did not receive systemic steroids.

Orbital Cellulitis of Odontogenic Origin.

Odontogenic orbital cellulitis, although uncommon, has the potential to cause severe vision loss if unsuspected and untreated. Compared to non-odontogenic bacteriology, odontogenic orbital abscesses typically feature a heavy mixed growth with anaerobic organisms. We review the literature and discuss the case of a 26-year-old male who presented with anaerobic orbital cellulitis for treatment.

Fungal Orbital Cellulitis: Presenting Features, Management and Outcomes at a Referral Center.

PURPOSE: To report a series of patients with fungal orbital cellulitis who underwent exenteration surgery and describe presenting features, management and outcomes at a referral center. METHODS: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: From November 2011 to March 2014, four patients underwent orbital exenteration for fungal orbital cellulitis at the University of Illinois. Three patients had mucormycosis and one had aspergillosis. All patients were treated with intravenous antifungals and underwent orbital exenteration. Two patients were successfully treated with supplemental intra-orbital catheter delivery of amphotericin B. Presenting visual acuity in the affected eye ranged from 20/25 to no light perception. Some level of ophthalmoplegia was present in three patients. Significantly elevated intraocular pressure was found in two patients. All patients with mucormycosis were found to have uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. One patient had a history of myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic hepatitis C infection, polysubstance abuse and Crohn's disease. Another patient had a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis, Crohn's disease treated with systemic immunosuppression and renal cell carcinoma. The patient with aspergillosis had myelodysplastic syndrome and portal hypertension, and the initial presentation resembled giant cell arteritis. Two of four patients died during their hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal orbital cellulitis has a high mortality rate despite aggressive antifungal treatment and orbital exenteration performed soon after the diagnosis is confirmed. Patients often have a history of immunosuppression and the onset may be insidious. There must be a high rate of suspicion for fungal orbital cellulitis given the appropriate signs and medical history in order to avoid treatment delay.

Orbital Cellulitis and Subperiosteal Abscess: A 5-year Outcomes Analysis.

PURPOSE: Orbital cellulitis and subperiosteal abscess (SPA) are historically associated with poor outcomes. We seek to characterize current associations with abscess formation, surgical failure and vision loss. METHODS: All cases of orbital cellulitis presenting to an affiliated hospital between April 2008 and 2013 were critically reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty patients met inclusion criteria. Average age was 28.7 ± 24.4. The male to female ratio was 2:1. Abscesses were identified in 56.7% of patients. Adults were less likely than children to present with abscesses (28.6% vs. 81.3%, p = 0.008). Of the other factors analyzed, only antibiotic use before admission (70.5% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.03) and maximum restriction (-2.5 ± 1.2 vs. -0.9 ± 0.7, p = 0.008) were associated with SPA. Temperature at presentation (37.9 ± 0.9 vs. 37.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.04), relative proptosis (5.8 ± 3.3 mm vs. 2.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.002) and abscess volume (4.3 ± 1.3 mm(3) vs. 0.7 ± 0.5 mm(3), p = 0.0004) were associated with progression to surgery. Reoperation was required in 26.7% of patients. Of these, two-thirds had combined superior/medial abscesses that re-accumulated after isolated endonasal surgery. Two of the 3 patients with profound vision loss had a dental etiology. CONCLUSIONS: Only young age, prior antibiotics and degree of restriction predicted the presence of an abscess. Re-accumulation was more common than anticipated, and drainage of superior/medial abscesses by endoscopic surgery alone had the strongest association with surgical failure. Patients with odontogenic abscesses must be treated with particular caution.

[Orbital cellulitis with concomitant bacteraemia (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) as a complication of an intraorbital foreign body--a case report and literature review]. / Zapalenie tkanek oczodolu z towarzyszaca mu bakteriemia (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) jako powiklanie wewnatrzoczodolowego ciala obcego--opis przypadku i przeglad pismiennictwa.

This is a case report of a 53-year-old man, who presented in the Department of Ophthalmology with signs of orbital cellulitis on the right side, which developed over a few days following an injury. Computed tomography revealed inflammatory infiltration of the orbital soft tissues, penetrating to the sella turcica. Orbital swab and blood cultures revealed the presence of Enterobacter and Peptostreptococcus spp. as well as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, respectively. Review of the literature relevant to the presented case was performed based on the PubMed databasesearch, using the following keywords: intraorbital foreign body, orbital cellulitis, neuroinfection, Stenotrophomonas maltophiia.. Summarizing, the orbital injury-associated infections can be potentially life-threatening, due to the proximity of the anterior cranial fossa. Hence, they require prompt diagnosis and intensive treatment.

Bugs Behind the Bulging Eyeball: Microbiology and Antibiotic Management in Orbital Cellulitis With or Without Subperiosteal Abscess.

The objective of this study is to describe causative pathogens and current antibiotic management among hospitalized children with orbital cellulitis. This retrospective study, performed at a tertiary care children's health system, included patients up to 18 years old who presented with radiographic evidence of orbital cellulitis from 2012 to 2019. Of the 298 patients included in the study, 103 had surgery and an intraoperative culture obtained. A pathogen was recovered in 86 cultures (83.5%). The most common pathogens were Streptococcus anginosus group (26.2%), Streptococcus pyogenes (11.7%), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (10.7%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.7%). Only 8/194 (4.1%) blood cultures returned positive. Median duration of intravenous antibiotics was 4 days and median total duration was 17 days. The most common empiric regimen prescribed was ceftriaxone and clindamycin (64.1%). Despite low incidence of methicillin-resistant S aureus, empiric antibiotics often consisted of 2 antibiotics to ensure coverage for this bacterium.