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Complicated periorbital cellulitis: case report and literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2011

N Parvizi ,
N Choudhury  and
A Singh
N Parvizi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, North West London NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
N Choudhury
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, North West London NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
A Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, North West London NHS Trust, Harrow, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Nassim Parvizi, North West London NHS Trust, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow HA1 3UJ, UK Fax: +44 (0)208 869 2964 E-mail: nassim.parvizi@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective:

Periorbital cellulitis secondary to rhinosinusitis is common. However, very rarely this can be complicated by a lacrimal gland abscess. We report such a case.

Method:

We present a case report and literature review concerning lacrimal gland abscess secondary to periorbital cellulitis.

Results:

Due to the location of this condition, prompt assessment and management is vital to avoid potential ophthalmological and neurological complications. Our patient failed to respond to initial conservative medical treatment, and was subsequently identified as having a lacrimal gland abscess, confirmed on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Following definitive surgical treatment, the patient's clinical course improved. This case furthers our knowledge of this condition, and adds to the two previously reported paediatric cases.

Conclusion:

This case emphasises the importance of prompt management, and the fact that failure of clinical improvement following orbital decompression should alert the clinician to the rare possibility of an associated lacrimal gland abscess. The case also emphasises the key role of imaging and a multidisciplinary team approach when managing this condition.

Keywords

Orbital CellulitisLacrimal ApparatusAbscessComputed Tomography

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 94 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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References

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