Recurrent periorbital cellulitis associated with rhinosinusitis in children: Characteristics, course of disease, and management paradigm.

BACKGROUND

Recurrent periorbital cellulitis (RPOC) associated with rhinosinusitis is rarely noted and scarcely discussed in the literature. The aim of our study was to analyze the characteristics and disease course of a group of pediatric patients with RPOC.

METHODS

The medical records of all pediatric patients with a diagnosis of RPOC treated in a tertiary children's hospital were retrieved. Included were patients with a history of two or more episode of RPOC.

RESULTS

A total of 14 children were included. Mean follow up was 3 years (SD ± 2.5). Median age of first POC episode was 12 months (range 5 months-12 years). Overall, 75 events of RPOCs were documented. A median of 3 events per patient was noted (range 2-16). Preseptal cellulitis was diagnosed in all but five patients, in whom orbital cellulitis or subperiosteal abscess were identified, one following failure of conservative treatment, and the remaining at first presentation or recurrence. Rhinorrhea was present in only five patients (35%). The majority of patients were treated with intra-venous antibiotics. Imaging studies were performed in all patients revealing ethmoidal sinusitis in all patients, with lamina papyracea dehiscence in two patients. Immune deficiency was diagnosed in one patient. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in seven patients, in four as preventive procedure and in three during an acute phase. Post-operative recurrent disease was noted in two patients that were operated during the acute phase.

CONCLUSIONS

RPOC is a rare entity. Rhinosinusitis should be suspected in events of recurrent preseptal cellulitis even in the absence of nasal symptoms. CT scan is diagnostic for sinus origin of disease and possible anatomical abnormalities. In the majority of patients no evident etiology was identified. Elective Surgery or prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be strongly considered in this subgroup of patients as it seems beneficial.