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Orbital cellulitis clinically mimicking rhabdomyosarcoma.
Suliati P Amir1,2, Muhammad Irfan Kamaruddin1, Marliyanti Nur Rahmah Akib1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
International Medical Case Reports Journal
|November 7, 2019
Summary
Acute orbital cellulitis in children can mimic rhabdomyosarcoma. This case report details a five-year-old boy successfully treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids for orbital cellulitis presenting with proptosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
Background:
- Proptosis with inflammation in children often suggests orbital cellulitis, but rhabdomyosarcoma is a critical differential diagnosis.
- A five-year-old boy presented with acute proptosis without trauma or systemic infection, prompting consideration of both orbital cellulitis and rhabdomyosarcoma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of orbital cellulitis that closely resembled rhabdomyosarcoma both clinically and radiologically.
Main Methods:
- A five-year-old boy experienced rapid-onset proptosis, periorbital edema, pain, and vision loss.
- Diagnostic workup included complete blood count and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scan.
- Treatment involved a combination of intravenous antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents.
Main Results:
- Leukocytosis was noted on complete blood count.
- MSCT revealed lesions in the lateral orbit and retrobulbar space.
- Intravenous antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy resulted in excellent clinical improvement.
Conclusions:
- Differentiating acute orbital cellulitis from rhabdomyosarcoma based solely on clinical presentation can be challenging.
- A combination of cephalosporin and aminoglycoside antibiotics with corticosteroid therapy proved effective for this pediatric orbital cellulitis case.
