Ultrasound in pediatric orbital cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis is an infrequent but serious complication of sinus infections in children, as was the case of a 7-year-old who presented to the emergency room with ultrasound signs of preseptal cellulitis. Despite a well conducted antibiotic treatment a control ultrasound demonstrated associated signs of retro-septal extension. This case brings to light the essential role of ultrasound in suspected cellulitis, as a mean to differentiate between preseptal cellulitis and retroseptal (orbital) cellulitis. In the paediatric population ultrasound should be the first intention exam to diagnose the extension of the illness, and help guide the management and follow-up of the patients.