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Periorbital cellulitis secondary to ethmoiditis in a 5-week-old child
A Murray1, L Albanasawy, M S Morrissey
1Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK. andrew@murr4y.freeserve.co.uk
Insights
Periorbital cellulitis in infants can stem from acute ethmoiditis. This case highlights sinusitis as a potential cause even in the youngest patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Otolaryngology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Periorbital cellulitis commonly affects young children.
- Early identification of the source is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- A 5-week-old infant presented with periorbital cellulitis.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed acute ethmoiditis as the sepsis source.
Findings:
- The patient represents the youngest reported case of periorbital cellulitis secondary to confirmed ethmoiditis.
- Acute ethmoiditis was identified as the underlying cause of sepsis.
Implications:
- Sinusitis should be considered in infants diagnosed with periorbital cellulitis, regardless of age.
- This case underscores the importance of investigating sinusitis in pediatric periorbital cellulitis.
Abstract:
Periorbital cellulitis is a condition primarily affecting young children. We present a 5-week-old boy who developed periorbital cellulitis and had a CT scan which identified acute ethmoiditis as the source of the sepsis. His clinical course is outlined, and the relevant literature is discussed. We believe this patient is the youngest case of periorbital cellulitis due to confirmed ethmoiditis reported. This emphasises the possibility of an underlying sinusitis in patients with periorbital cellulitis, even in this very young age group.