Acute orbital cellulitis.

A review of 104 patients with acute orbital cellulitis during the past decade showed that the frequency of hospital admissions for this disease has increased recently. Roentgenograms showed paranasal sinus in 77 of 91 patients. Haemophilus influenzae and Diplococcus pneumoniae were recovered from the blood of 20 and 6 patients, respectively. Four children had concomitant H influenzae meningitis. Bacteremia was demonstrated in 29% and more common in those with extensive orbital involvement, those not receiving antibiotics at the time of culture, and those less than 2 years old. Some of the 26 patients with less extensive involvement were bacteremic (17%), had leukocytosis, or roentgenographic evidence of sinusitis. Most children received large doses of ampicillin sodium and methicillin sodium intravenously until signs and symptoms had almost abated. With this regimen, there were no orbital, ocular, or other complications.