Clinical and radiological characteristics of odontogenic orbital cellulitis.

Purpose: To assess the radiological features and clinical outcomes of odontogenic orbital cellulitis.

Method: Multi-centre retrospective study of odontogenic orbital cellulitis. Primary outcomes assessed were causal organism(s), clinical signs, radiological findings, management and visual outcomes.

Results: Four patients with odontogenic orbital cellulitis were identified for inclusion. There was an equal proportion of men and women with a mean age of 43 years (range 25-56 years). All patients presented with an orbital compartment syndrome, with visual acuity of counting fingers (n = 1, 25%), hand movements (n = 1, 25%) and no perception of light (n = 2, 50%). The organisms implicated were Streptococcus milleri (n = 3, 75%) and Streptococcus constellatus (n = 1, 25%). MRI findings showed a subperiosteal abscess was present in all cases, which was characterised radiologically as a T1-hyperintense, T2 minimally hyperintense collection with restricted diffusion and a low apparent diffusion coefficient signal. Final visual acuity ranged from 6/6 to no light perception. One patient required an orbital exenteration due to extensive necrosis with sepsis and systemic deterioration.

Conclusions: Odontogenic orbital cellulitis carries a serious risk of vision loss with a propensity to present with an orbital compartment syndrome secondary to Streptococcus species. Outcomes were highly variable, with two cases progressing to blindness of which one required an orbital exenteration.