Actualización diagnóstica y tratamiento de celulitis periorbitaria en el paciente pediátrico

Abstract

Introduction: Periorbital cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the soft tissues surrounding the eye. In children, it is a common and potentially serious condition that can cause complications such as abscesses and meningitis. The aim of this study is to review the medical literature on periorbital cellulitis in pediatric patients, in order to describe its clinical features, the most common causes, methods of diagnosis and treatment, and associated complications. Methodology: A literature review was performed in medical databases such as Scielo, Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar using search terms such as "periorbital cellulitis", "children", "diagnosis" and "treatment". Studies published in the last ten years, in English and Spanish, were included. Results: Periorbital cellulitis is most common in children under 10 years of age, and the most common cause is the spread of upper respiratory tract infections. Symptoms include pain, redness and swelling around the affected eye, fever and general malaise. Diagnosis is made primarily by clinical examination and laboratory and imaging tests. Treatment includes antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical drainage of abscesses. Complications include loss of vision, intracranial abscesses and meningitis. Conclusions: Periorbital cellulitis is a potentially serious condition in pediatric patients, requiring early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications.