DJO | Digital Journal of Ophthalmology


A 13 year-old girl with right eye swelling Digital Journal of Ophthalmology 2004 Volume 10, Number 7 May 14, 2004	Printer Friendly

Vittal Nayak \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Jayram Shetty \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Vijay Pai \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Vasanthi Bangera \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Namitha Manohar \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Ajith Adyanthaya \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy Harish Shetty \| K.S. Hedge Medical Academy

History
A 13 year-old girl presented complaining of swelling of the right eye. She had a cough productive of yellow sputum and fever. Her symptoms had been present for 15 days. She stated that the right eye had gradually become more prominent during this time. She described double vision with up and left gaze. She had been treated with oral antbiotics (Amoxicillin and Cloxacillin) during this time.

Examination
Distance vision OD 6/18 ph 6/12 OS 6/6 Snellen Near vision OD N8 OS N6 Exophthalmometry OD 18mm OS 13mm The right eye had a hypotropia and exotropia in primary position. Motility examination was notable for limitation of elevation, adduction, diplopia in all positions of gaze. Anterior Segment examination was notable OD for dilatation of conjunctival vessels, obscuration of upper eyelid crease, and sluggish pupillary reaction. An afferent pupillary defect was not present. Fundus examination OD demonstrated dilated, tortuous veins and retinochoroidal folds in the posterior pole. Examination of the left eye was unremarkable.

Figure 1. Appearance at presentation.

Ancillary Testing
Labatory data: Hb 12.5 gm%, ESR 58, WBC 9200 (N78 L20 E2 M0). Creatinine, Platelet Count, Blood sugar, Bleeding and clotting time were all normal. Serology for HIV and Hepatitis B was negative. CT Scan demonstrated pansinusitis and an abscess in the right superior orbit (Figure 2).

Figure 2. CT scan demonstrating a sub-periosteal abscess in the right orbit.

Treatment
The patient was started on intravenous Cephalexin 500 Mg IV bid, Intravenous Ciprofloxacin 200 Mg IV bid, Intravenous Metronidazole 500 Mg IV bid x 7 days followed by oral Cephalexin and oral Ciprofloxacin 500mg for 7 days. Some improvement in proptosis, edema were noticed but not adequate. The right orbital abscess was drained by passing a 22 gauge Venflon cannula into the orbit below the supraorbital foramen. Pus was noted in the cannula. The needle was removed and negative pressure was applied to the cannula which was still in place. 6 to 7 cc thick greenish pus was aspirated into the syringe. Pressure was applied on eyelids maintained for 5min. Proptosis considerably reduced. A tight bandage was applied on eye and patient was extubated. Systemic antibiotics and NSAID’s were continued for 5 days post operatively. The gram stain and cultures were negative. On the first post-operative day, exophthalmometry demonstrated 2 mm proptosis OD. Visual acuity was OD 6/9 OS 6/6. Extraocular movements improved markedly, but diplopia presisted on elevation. Pupil examination was normal. Fundus exam revealed marked reduction in choroidal folds. At 15 days post op., the examination had returned to normal (Figure 3). The patient was asked to observe OD closely and report immediately if fever or proptosis recurred as the abscess wall was still in place. No surgical treatment was performed for the pansinusitis, however follow up was advised.

Figure 3. Post-operative appearance.

Diagnosis and Discussion
Orbital abscess is a well delineated form of orbital cellulitis or a complication thereof characterized by collection of pus within the orbital tissues [1]. Orbital abscesses are potentially blinding/lethal diseases in patients of all ages [2 ,3]. Adjacent sinus disease accounts for most of orbital cellulitis in children [2,3,4]. Ethmoidal sinusitis is the most common etiological factor, others being trauma, skin infections, dental infections, otitis media, intraorbital foreign bodies, endophthalmitis, dacryoadenitis, squint surgery, retinal buckling procedures, bacteremia & HIV [6,7, 8, 9]. Orbital abscesses are more common on the leftside though no reason has been determined [1]. The mean age at presentation is 20-31 years [5 ,10]. They commonly present as an acute febrile illness, with proptosis, lid swelling, chemosis, impaired ocular motility, visual defects, pupillary abnormalities,colour vision deficits, and field defects [2,9] .Orbital infections are classified as [7]: Group I Preseptal cellulitis, inflammatory edema, congestion Group II Orbital infiltration& Mass effects & Functional deficits Group III Subperiosteal abscess Group IV Orbital abscesses & Mass effects Group V Intracranial extension of inflammation into cavernous sinus. Differential diagnosis of orbital cellulitis includes leukaemia [11], rhabdomyosarcoma [2], metastatic tumors [2], retinoblastoma [12], hemangiomata [13], lymphangiomata [14], dermoid cysts [15], neurofibromas with associated with bony defects and meningoencepahloceles [16], hydatid cysts of the orbit [17], and orbital varices [18]. Complications include intracranial spread leading to meningitis, intracranial abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, blindness [19,20,21], and death. Etiological agents implicated include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, anaerobes, Propionibacterium acnes, Pseudomonas, Pneumocystis, mixed infections and rarely parasites, fungi & mollicutes [1, 10,22,23,24,25] . Leukocytosis and blood cultures are unreliable. CT scans with coronal sections are useful [26]. It is important to note that computerized scans cannot predict whether the mass represents a haematoma, an exudate or a transudate [20]. MRI is frequently necessary for patients with intracranial infections [27, 28]. Ultrasonography is a useful adjunct [28]. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has been used to diagnose orbital metastatses [29]. Aggressive parenteral antibiotics with judicious surgical intervention constitute the mainstay of treatment [30]. Empirical treatment of proptosis with systemic steriods should be avoided as infections will be aggravated [24]. Cephalosporins every 12hrs for 7-10 days, followed by oral cephalosporins for 7 days are most commonly used drugs. B-lactamase resitant penicillins are also useful. Chloramphenicol, clindamycin, vancomycin are alternatives if initial treatment is not successful due to resistance. It is important not to overlook the possibility of the abscess being tuberculous. Anti-inflammtory medications, such as NSAIDs, may help reduce inflammation. Criteria for nonsurgical treatment of subperiosteal abscess include: age < 9 yrs, normal visual acuity, normal visual fields, normal motility, no cranial nerve palsy, and no afferent pupillary defect [30,31]. Indications for surgical treatment include worsening of clinical parameters, such as decreasing visual acuity [5]. Abscess drainage becomes necessary in 50% to 70% of cases [5]. Standard technique of drainage involves making a skin incision closest to the abscess site, deepening it to the periosteum, and then inserting an instrument into the subperiosteal space of the orbit to break the abscess wall. Aspiration of the contents to avoid intra-orbital spread is essential. In this context, CT guided orbital abscess drainage can be performed via CT guidance, as is performed for biopsies of optic nerve tumors [21,32]. It is important to note the maximum length of the needle for drainage of orbital abscesses is 3.75 cm [21]. A Venflon 22 gauge cannula is 3.5 cm long and is incapable of reaching the intracranial space through the superior orbital fissure. The Venflon cannula (22 gauge) is inserted in one of the oblique quadrants rather than directly above or below the globe to avoid accidental perforation. The cannula is closely watched to see if blood / pus are noted as the Venflon is introduced. Once pus is seen the inner needle is removed and a syringe with negative pressure is attached to the Venflon facilitating quick drainage into the syringe. The material obtained is subjected to microbiological examination (Gram stain, Ziehl Neilsen & Fungal Stains, aerobic and anaeorbic culture), and cytopathological examination [21,31] . In spite of CT Scan guidance, adequate anesthesia, and guarded insertion of the Venflon cannula, complications can occur. The most common complication reported is hematoma formation which resolves spontaneously. Loss of extra ocular movements, ptosis, blindness, death are other complications [21,32]. Failure to drain may suggest a mass lesion, orbital pseudotumor or tumor, and indicate the need for an open biopsy, or may suggest that the cannula is not within the abscess and requires re-positioning. Microbiological and cytopathological examination of aspirates from the orbit is essential and may provide a clue to the diagnosis The procedure of draining orbital/subperiosteal abscesses using a Venflon cannula may be tried on a large scale. We recommend a larger trial by the ophthalmic fraternity.

References
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