Casas Ocando Julio*

Otorhinolaryngologist/Plastic Surgery, Grupo Médico Santa Paula, Caracas, Venezuela

*Corresponding Author: Casas Ocando Julio, Otorhinolaryngologist/Plastic Surgery, Grupo Médico Santa Paula, Caracas, Venezuela.

Received: July 03, 2025; Published: August 12, 2025

Abstract

Orbital and periorbital cellulitis are common conditions encountered in pediatric practice that can often be confused with one another. Physicians frequently face the challenge of differentiating between them, as both conditions share similar symptoms, including ocular pain, eyelid swelling, and erythema. These symptoms typically arise as complications of rhinosinusitis (specifically ethmoiditis), dental infections, eyelid injuries, or external ocular infections. The key distinction between orbital cellulitis and periorbital cellulitis lies in the orbital septum. Preseptal cellulitis, or periorbital cellulitis, occurs in front of the orbital septum, while orbital cellulitis occurs behind it. This differentiation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Although the symptoms may be similar, determining the precise location of the infection relative to the orbital septum is vital for distinguishing between the two conditions. Correct identification is important, as preseptal cellulitis requires a different treatment approach than orbital cellulitis due to its less invasive nature. Computed tomography scanning is recommended for evaluating children with periorbital inflammation and rhinosinusitis, as it helps confirm the location of the infection. Preseptal cellulitis is typically caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Treatment usually involves a combination of intravenous antibiotics (such as amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, or cefixime) and, if necessary, surgical drainage. Managing both preseptal and orbital cellulitis requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Care is usually provided by three specialists: a pediatrician, an infectious disease specialist, and an otorhinolaryngologist. Both conditions are more prevalent in children than in adults, with preseptal cellulitis being significantly more common than orbital cellulitis.

Keywords:children; nasal polyps; preseptal cellulite; pediatric rhinosinusitis, FESS.

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Citation

Citation: Casas Ocando Julio. “Preseptal Cellulitis in Pediatric Patients".Acta Scientific Otolaryngology 7.9 (2025): 10-13.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Casas Ocando Julio. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.