A swollen eye
BMJ 2008; 336 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0806251 (Published 01 June 2008) Cite this as: BMJ 2008;336:0806251
- Caroline Blaine, senior house officer1,
- Nneka Eze, specialist registrar1
- 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
A 58 year old man presented with a two week history of swelling of his left eye after symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. His vision had not changed but on examination his left eye was erythematous and slightly proptosed. There was no chemosis. The range of eye movements was normal despite limited eye opening (fig 1).
Clinical photograph of patient's left eye
Questions
(1) What are the features visible in the photograph (figure 1)?
(2) What is the diagnosis?
(3) What is the most likely cause?
(4) What are the possible complications?
(5) What is the management, and who should be involved?
Answers
(1) The key features in the photograph are erythema and oedema of the eyelids, and limitation in eye opening. Discharge of pus can be seen at the 10 o'clock position, corresponding to the site of an old surgical scar.
(2) The diagnosis is orbital cellulitis.
(3) Acute sinusitis is the commonest cause of orbital cellulitis. The ethmoid sinuses are most often involved. Trauma, such as orbital fracture or …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £184 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£50 / $60/ €56 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.