Orbital bone infarction masquerading as preseptal cellulitis in a child with sickle beta-thalassaemia

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Mar 29;16(3):e252868. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-252868.

Abstract

Although several ophthalmic manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD) are common, orbital bone infarction is rare. Orbital bones have less bone marrow creating an unlikely place to develop infarction. However, having a patient with SCD presenting with periorbital swelling should warrant imaging to rule out bone infarction. We present a case of a child with sickle beta-thalassaemia who was misdiagnosed with preseptal cellulitis in the right eye. Later upon review of the subtle signs of bone infarction in imaging, she was discovered to have orbital bone infarction.

Keywords: Haematology (incl blood transfusion); Ophthalmology; Sickle cell disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / complications
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / diagnosis
  • Cellulitis / diagnosis
  • Cellulitis / etiology
  • Child
  • Eyelid Diseases*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Infarction / etiology
  • Orbital Cellulitis* / diagnosis
  • Orbital Cellulitis* / etiology
  • Orbital Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • beta-Thalassemia* / complications
  • beta-Thalassemia* / diagnosis