Equis ISSN 2398-2977
Orbit: retrobulbar abscess
Contributor(s): Keith Barnett, Graham Munroe
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
Predisposing factors
General
- 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.
Timecourse
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- van den Top J G B, Schaafsma I A, Boswinkel M & Klein W R (2007) A retrobulbar abscess as an uncommon cause of exophthalmos in a horse. Equine Vet Educ 19 (11), 579-583 VetMedResource.