Orbital cellulitis, sinusitis and intracranial abnormalities in two adolescents with COVID-19

Orbit. 2020 Aug;39(4):305-310. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2020.1768560. Epub 2020 May 18.

Abstract

We review two cases of adolescents with orbital cellulitis, sinusitis and SARS- CoV-2 infection presenting to emergency departments within a 24 hour period. SARS-CoV-2 samples obtained within 24 hours were positive, supporting prior infection despite relatively limited early symptoms of COVID-19. Unusual clinical and radiographic characteristics included hemorrhagic abscess with blood of varying age in the first, intracranial epidural abscess in the second, radiographic signal consistent with hemorrhagic or thrombotic phenomena, retro-maxillary antral fat changes, and meningeal enhancement or extension in both cases. Radiographic findings thereby mimic fungal infection, although final cultures and ancillary investigation for allergic and invasive fungal disease have remained negative. These cases highlight two unusual orbital presentations of cellulitis occurring in the context of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hemorrhage; orbital cellulitis; thrombosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Child
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Debridement / methods*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Frontal Sinusitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Sinusitis / etiology
  • Frontal Sinusitis / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Orbital Cellulitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Cellulitis / etiology
  • Orbital Cellulitis / therapy*
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
  • Risk Assessment
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sampling Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents