Rapid progression of orbital abscess requiring lateral canthotomy in a pediatric patient

Matthew D Turner; Steven Sandelich; Catherine Marco

doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2024.04.028

Rapid progression of orbital abscess requiring lateral canthotomy in a pediatric patient

Am J Emerg Med. 2024 Apr 21:S0735-6757(24)00185-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.04.028. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Matthew D Turner¹, Steven Sandelich², Catherine Marco²

Affiliations

¹ Emergency Medicine Department, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. Electronic address: Turnermatthew94@gmail.com.
² Emergency Medicine Department, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.

PMID: 38664102
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.04.028

Abstract

Subperiosteal abscess (SPA) is a rare complication of acute sinusitis in children that may develop rapidly. In this case report, we describe an 11 year-old boy who presented with a large SPA 2 days after being diagnosed with conjunctivitis. The patient required emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC), IV antibiotics, and emergent surgery. It is crucial that emergency physicians be able to identify and treat this vision-threatening complication.

Keywords: Lateral canthotomy; Orbital subperiosteal abscess; Pediatric patient; Uncomplicated sinusitis.

Published by Elsevier Inc.

Publication types

Case Reports