Preseptal Cellulitis: 13 Years Review in a Tertiary Hospital South-Eastern Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology and management outcome of preseptal cellulitis seen at a tertiary eye hospital within a period of 13 years.

Materials and Methods: The case files of all patients seen with preseptal cellulitis from 2005 to 2017 were reviewed. The information obtained included the patients’ demography, presenting symptoms and signs, research, treatment, outcome, complications and follow-up.

Results: Of the 123 patients with preseptal cellulitis reported on the study, 66 were males and 57 females. In a range of 0 to 80 years old, the mean age was 19 years. The commonest predisposing factor was trauma (20.3%) followed by upper respiratory tract infection (11.4%). Progression to orbital cellulitis was seen in 11.4% of the patients.

Conclusion: Preseptal cellulitis is not uncommon in adults as seen in previous studies. Trauma is now more common than sinusitis as a predisposing factor. Despite oral antibiotic therapy some cases may progress to orbital cellulitis.