Elevated Optic Disc Height and Increased Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter on Bedside Ultrasound in a Pediatric Patient With Orbital Cellulitis: More Than Meets the Eye

Publication date: Available online 22 September 2018

Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine

Author(s): Vigil James, Gene Yong-Kwang Ong

Abstract

Background

Orbital cellulitis is an uncommon ophthalmological emergency in children, but rapid emergency department (ED) diagnosis is essential.

Case Report

A 13-year-old boy presented to our pediatric ED with left orbital cellulitis secondary to pansinusitis. Emergency bedside ocular ultrasonography was used to evaluate and expedite his management. Besides inflammatory changes observed on ultrasound of his affected orbit, the patient had an elevated optic disc height and increased nerve sheath diameter, which were not commonly reported in published literature on orbital cellulitis. Emergent computed tomography of the orbits and head showed orbital cellulitis without complications of orbital abscess or cavernous sinus thrombosis. Despite initiating early appropriate antibiotics, there was rapid progression of his disease and he developed intraconal abscess and cavernous sinus thrombosis the following day. After emergency surgical drainage of his pansinusitis, antibiotics, and anticoagulation, he was discharged well after a 2-week hospitalization.

Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?

There are important advantages of using bedside ultrasonography for diagnosis of pediatric orbital cellulitis in the ED setting. Further research should be done to evaluate the clinical significance of an enlarged optic nerve sheath diameter and raised optic disc height in pediatric orbital cellulitis.

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