Orbital cellulitis after peribulbar anaesthesia for cataract surgery

Allergic Complications of Hyaluronidase Injection: Risk Factors, Treatment Strategies, and Recommendations for Management

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidase is used as a reversal agent for hyaluronic acid fillers and to increase the diffusion of other medications after infiltration. Cases of hyaluronidase allergy have been described in the literature since 1984. However, it is still frequently misdiagnosed. This review aims to summarize the current literature to describe the clinical picture of hyaluronidase allergy and identify any risk factors associated with its development, as well as provide recommendations for management in plastic surgery.

METHODS

A digital search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was performed by two reviewers following the PRISMA guidelines. This search identified 247 articles.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven articles were identified, and 37 of them met the eligibility criteria. One hundred six patients with a mean age of 54.2 years were included in these studies. History of allergy to other substances (timothy grass, egg white, horse serum, penicillin, insect bites, wasp venom, thimerosal, potassium, histamine, phenylmercuric acetate, and nickel) and allergic diseases (asthma, dermatitis, atopy, rhinitis) was reported. A large portion of the patients with a history of repeated exposure (2-4) experienced the symptoms with their second injection. Nonetheless, there was no significant association between time to allergy development and the number of exposures (P = 0.3). Treatment with steroids +/- antihistamines resulted in the rapid and predominantly complete reversal of the symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior injections or sensitization by insect/wasp venom might be the primary factor associated with hyaluronidase allergy development. The time between the repeated injections is not a likely contributor to the presentation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Unusual Penetrating Orbital and Globe Injury With a Veterinary Needle

We present a rare case of a penetrating injury to the globe and orbit by a veterinary needle. The patient underwent globe exploration and retinal detachment repair under general anesthesia after receiving medical treatment for orbital cellulitis. The case was managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatric ophthalmologist, an oculoplastic surgeon, and a retina surgeon. The orbital cellulitis resolved gradually, after which the site of globe penetration was found to be self-sealed, and the retinal detachment was repaired. B-scan ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to assess the extent of the injury and evaluate the integrity of the globe. Exploration of presumed Self-sealing globe wounds by a needle should be deferred until the treatment of life-threatening complications like orbital cellulitis and optic nerve infiltration is complete. Prompt judicious care was necessary in this case. It is crucial to implement preventive measures to address the risks involved in children manipulating dangerous objects to avoid preventable accidents and mitigate the potential visual outcomes that may arise as a result.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Orbital cellulitis

INTRODUCTION

Orbital cellulitis is an uncommon but serious condition that carries with it a potential for significant morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of orbital cellulitis, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence.

DISCUSSION

Orbital cellulitis refers to infection of the globe and surrounding soft tissues posterior to the orbital septum. Orbital cellulitis is typically caused by local spread from sinusitis but can also be caused by local trauma or dental infection. It is more common in pediatric patients compared to adults. Emergency clinicians should first assess for and manage other critical, sight-threatening complications such as orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). Following this assessment, a focused eye examination is necessary. Though orbital cellulitis is primarily a clinical diagnosis, computed tomography (CT) of the brain and orbits with and without contrast is critical for evaluation of complications such as abscess or intracranial extension. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbits with and without contrast should be performed in cases of suspected orbital cellulitis in which CT is non-diagnostic. While point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may be useful in differentiating preseptal from orbital cellulitis, it cannot exclude intracranial extension of infection. Management includes early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and ophthalmology consultation. The use of steroids is controversial. In cases of intracranial extension of infection (e.g., cavernous sinus thrombosis, abscess, or meningitis), neurosurgery should be consulted.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of orbital cellulitis can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this sight-threatening infectious process.

Predictors of surgical intervention and visual outcome in bacterial orbital cellulitis

This study aims to identify predictive factors associated with surgical intervention and the visual outcome of orbital cellulitis and to evaluate the treatment outcomes.A retrospective study involving 66 patients (68 eyes; 64 unilateral and 2 bilateral) diagnosed with bacterial orbital cellulitis was conducted between November 2005 and May 2019.The mean (± standard deviation) age was 42.1 (± 25.8) years (range: 15 days-86 years). Sinusitis was the most frequent predisposing factor, occurring in 25 patients (37.9%), followed by skin infection in 10 patients (15.2%), and acute dacryocystitis in 9 patients (13.6%). Subperiosteal abscesses were found in 24 eyes and orbital abscesses in 19 eyes. Surgical drainage was performed in 31 eyes. Regarding the abscess volume for surgical drainage, a cut-off of 1514 mm3 showed 71% sensitivity and 80% specificity. There was significant improvement in visual acuity (VA) and decrease in proptosis after treatment (for both, P ≤ .001). Only pre-treatment VA ≤20/200 was a significant predictor for post-treatment VA of 20/50 or worse (adjusted odds ratio: 12.0, P = .003). The presence of a relative afferent pupillary defect was the main predictor of post-treatment VA of 20/200 or worse (adjusted odds ratio: 19.0, P = .003).The most common predisposing factor for orbital cellulitis in this study was sinusitis. VA and proptosis significantly improved after treatment. We found that the abscess volume was strongly predictive of surgical intervention. Pre-treatment poor VA and the presence of relative afferent pupillary defect can predict the worst visual outcome. Hence, early detection of optic nerve dysfunction and prompt treatment could improve the visual prognosis.

Compressive optic neuropathy secondary to an allergic reaction to hyaluronidase

A 58 year-old woman presented with severe chemosis and ophthalmoparesis on her left eye 8hours after uncomplicated cataract surgery under sub-tenon anaesthesia. Recovery of extrinsic motility was observed after corticosteroid and antihistamine treatment, but a non-haemorrhagic papillary oedema and a concentric defect of visual field were found. It progressed to papillary atrophy with preserved central vision, but with a significant visual field constriction. The aetiological study revealed an allergy to hyaluronidase that was used as adjuvant to the anaesthesia. This complication needs to be promptly diagnosed and treated, as the swelling of the orbital tissues can cause damage to the optic nerve.

Preseptal and Postseptal Orbital Cellulitis of Odontogenic Origin

The authors present a case of combined preseptal and postseptal cellulitis of odontogenic origin. The infection started as a dental abscess associated with a first maxillary molar. The infection spread into the paranasal sinus, developed into a pansinusitis, and then spread into the preseptal and postseptal tissues. In addition to extraction of the infected tooth, the patient underwent bilateral nasal endoscopy, maxillary antrostomy, total ethmoidectomy, sphenoidotomy, and frontal sinusotomy with balloon dilation. Sinus cultures were positive for 2+ microaerophilic streptococci.

Hyaluronidase allergy mimicking orbital cellulitis

PURPOSE

Hyaluronidase enzyme is a common additive with local anesthetic agent to facilitate faster permeation of the anesthetic in periocular tissues during ophthalmic surgery. We report a series of five subjects presenting with clinical features mimicking orbital cellulitis following peribulbar anesthesia and consequently diagnosed with hyaluronidase hypersensitivity.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center in Southern India.

DESIGN

It was a retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the case records of patients diagnosed as and treated for hyaluronidase allergy from 2011 to 2015. The presenting features included periocular edema, proptosis, and restriction of ocular movements. The symptoms appeared immediately after the injection to as late as 6 days after the surgery. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation, relevant investigations, and dermal allergy tests. All five patients tested positive for hyaluronidase. Patients were treated with antihistaminics, systemic steroids, and emergency orbital decompression, when required. In majority of the patients, symptoms resolved in 3-5 days. Clinically, hyaluronidase allergy may mimic orbital cellulitis, which in the context of a recent intraocular surgery may be alarming for both the patient and the surgeon. However, with prompt intervention, the prognosis is extremely favorable in cases of hyaluronidase allergy. It is important for ophthalmic surgeons and anesthetists to recognize and differentiate this entity from the more serious vision threatening conditions.

Hyaluronidase hypersensitivity: A rare complication of peribulbar block

Peribulbar block, though safe, can cause serious complications such as globe perforation and peribulbar hemorrhage. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that is used as an adjuvant in peribulbar anesthesia, and it helps in rapid penetration of the anesthetic agent. Hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase is a rare but potentially sight-threatening complication. We report a case of hyaluronidase hypersensitivity following peribulbar injection for cataract surgery mimicking as peribulbar hematoma in the immediate postinjection phase and as orbital cellulitis 48 h later.

Orbital cellulits following cataract surgery under peribulbar anaesthesia

Introduction: Orbital cellulits following cataract surgery is extremely rare. We describe a case of orbital and facial cellulitis that occurred after routine cataract operation with peribulbar anaesthesia. There were no preoperative systemic or ocular risk factors for postoperative infection.

Case description: An 89-year-old man presented to eye casualty, the day after he underwent an uneventful phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation in the left eye under peribulabr anaesthesia, with soreness, swelling and reduced visual acuity (6/18) in the operated eye.

On initial presentation periorbital swelling was noted, the eye was minimally tender, intraocular pressure was raised at 28 mHg and fundoscopy was limited due to a hazy cornea. The patient was discharged on topical medication with a diagnosis of allergic reaction to postoperative drops.

The following day, the patient re-presented with worsening orbital swelling involving the left cheek. Ocular findings remained unchanged. CT scan revealed left orbit soft tissue swelling and a locule of air medial to the medial rectus. There were no signs of sinus infection or periosteal inflammation. A diagnosis of left orbital and facial cellulitis was made and the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Discussion: Our patient did not have any predisposing risk factors, therefore most likely cause of cellulitis is surgical trauma during administration of the peribulbar block.

This case illustrates the need for adequate skin preparation before the administration of peribulbar anaesthesia and minimal tissue trauma during the procedure.

[Orbital abscess after peribulbar anesthesia in a frontoethmoidal mucocele]

CLINIC CASE

Peribulbar anesthesia is used in daily practice during cataract surgery. It is a safe technique, but not without complications. We present the case of a man who had an orbital abscess secondary to peribulbar anesthesia that led to the perforation of an unknown frontoethmoidal mucocele.

DISCUSSION

Orbital abscess secondary to an iatrogenic mucocele perforation after anesthesia is a periorbital complication not described. The detection of the orbital process, intensive medical treatment and monitoring for signs of deterioration are vital in preventing serious complications.

The role of hyaluronidase in the treatment of complications from hyaluronic acid dermal fillers

Hyaluronidases, a family of enzymes that are able to degrade hyaluronic acid (HA), are employed in medicine to increase drug diffusion and reverse the effects of HA filler injections. Hyaluronidases are able to dissolve subcutaneous nodules or to correct excessive quantities of injected filler. Knowledge of the use, methods of application, and adverse effects of hyaluronidases is essential for the aesthetic practitioner. Therefore, we performed an extensive review of the available literature from 1928 to 2011 and compared the different enzymes available, recording each author's indications regarding usage and side effects.

Orbital cellulitis following cataract surgery

Orbital cellulitis is an extremely uncommon complication following cataract surgery. Herein, a patient who developed orbital cellulitis less than 24 h after undergoing cataract surgery is described. She responded well to systemic antibiotic treatment and ultimately achieved good visual acuity in the affected eye. The most likely mode of pathogen entry in such cases is considered to be the anaesthetic block given before the cataract surgery. It has been suggested that a careful skin antiseptic preparation before the block is given could prevent this occurrence, but such a preparation did not do so in our case.

Hyaluronidase allergy after peribulbar anesthesia with orbital inflammation

A 70-year-old woman previously exposed to hyaluronidase during ophthalmic surgery had excision of hypertrophic bulbar conjunctival tissue in the right eye. Hyaluronidase was added to the peribulbar anesthetic agent. Five days postoperatively, the patient presented with proptosis in the right eye, extraocular muscle restriction, and decreased visual acuity. She was apyrexial with a normal white cell count; computed tomography of the orbits showed a diffuse increase in soft tissue density. Clinical features were unchanged after 24 hours of intravenous antibiotics, but subsequent administration of high-dose oral steroids led to clinical improvement.

Orbital cellulitis after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

We report a case of orbital cellulitis after uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation under peribulbar injection. The eyelid skin was prepared with chlorhexidine gluconate before the peribulbar injection, and the eyelid and conjunctival cul-de-sac were prepared with povidone-iodine before phacoemulsification. Five days postoperatively, the patient presented with reduced visual acuity and lid swelling. Ocular examination showed signs of orbital cellulitis, which was confirmed by a computed tomography scan. Oral erythromycin and metronidazole were given, after which the symptoms improved with successful outcomes.