The information contained within the Grand Rounds Archive is intended for use by doctors and other health care professionals. These documents were prepared by resident physicians for presentation and discussion at a conference held at The Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. No guarantees are made with respect to accuracy or timeliness of this material. Spread may be direct with erosion of the lamina or through a prior fracture or by thrombophlebitic spread into the orbit.
Preseptal cellulitis is an inflammation and infection of the eyelids, outside the orbital septum.
Orbital cellulitis is a diffuse infiltration of bacteria and inflammatory cells in the orbit. A subperiosteal abscess is a collection of pus between the periorbita and the bony orbit walls. Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a late stage and highly morbid disease. Evaluation should include a thorough ophthalmologic examination and thin cut CT with contrast of the orbits and paranasal sinuses. Empirically B-lactamase resistant antibiotics are indicated.