Equis ISSN 2398-2977

Orbit: retrobulbar abscess

Introduction

• Cause: similar etiology to orbital cellulitis   Orbit: cellulitis  but the infection becomes more localized and chronic.
• Signs: unilateral progressive exophthalmos with marked loss of appetite due to pain.
• Treatment: drainage of the abscess is essential followed by systemic antibiotic and analgesic therapy.
• Prognosis: guarded due to difficulties of establishing drainage and complete resolution of infections.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Same as orbital cellulitis   Orbit: cellulitis  .
• Streptococcus equiinfection   Strangles (Streptococcus equi infection)  .

Predisposing factors

• Concurrent head or upper respiratory tract diseases, wounds or injuries.

Pathophysiology

• Similar etiology to orbital cellulitis   Orbit: cellulitis  with the addition of possibleStreptococcus equi  Streptococcus spp  as a cause.
• The infection, however, becomes more localized, chronic and insidious.

• Same as orbital cellulitis   Orbit: cellulitis  excluding optic nerve damage.

Timecourse

• Varies but longer than orbital cellulitis   Orbit: cellulitis  .

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes