Current trends in treatment outcomes of orbital cellulitis in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Orbital cellulitis refers to the inflammation or infection of the soft tissues of the orbit located behind the orbital septum. Aim: To determine the current trends in the outcomes following the management of orbital cellulitis in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of patients with orbital cellulitis from January 2008 to December 2014 was conducted. The age, sex, duration of symptoms, predisposing factors, clinical findings,  laboratory/radiological investigations, treatment provided, complications, and follow‑up were recorded. Results were analyzed with SPSS Version 21 program.

Results: Forty‑two patients were seen made of 17 (40.5%) males and 25 (59.5%) females with a mean age of 18.2 ± 18.7 years of which children <16 years constituted 24 (57.1%) of cases. Orbital cellulitis was a unilateral occurrence in 38 (90.5%) patients. Trauma and sinusitis were the common predisposing causes in 20 (47.6%) and 6 (14.3%) patients, respectively. The most common complaint was eye swelling 36 (52.9%). Most patients had visual acuities of >6/18 at  presentation, 38 (82.6%) and at discharge, 39 (84.8%). The mean duration of presenting complaints was 15.5 ± 31.6 days. Patients who presented early were less likely to develop complications, P = 0.003. The most common complication was exposure keratopathy in 8 (44.4%) eyes. The only surgical intervention performed was incision and drainage of abscess in 3 (7.1%) eyes. No patient came for follow‑up.

Conclusion: Prompt institution of effective antibiotics and management of  complications that may arise improves prognosis of orbital cellulitis.

Keywords: Antibiotics, orbital cellulitis, Southern Nigeria