Case Report: Vision Loss in a Child Caused by Streptococcus constellatus

Abstract

ABSTRACT PURPOSE We present a rare case of Streptococcus constellatus–induced odontogenic orbital cellulitis. METHODS An 8-year-old boy presented to an outpatient clinic with complaints of right-sided toothache, right eye swelling, and decreased visual acuity. He was referred to a pediatric critical care department for further management. Comprehensive diagnostic assessments, such as ophthalmic examination, blood tests, computed tomography, and MRI, were performed. RESULTS On presentation, the best-corrected visual acuities were 20/250 and 20/20 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Examination revealed grade 2+ eyelid edema and erythema and grade 4+ chemosis and exophthalmos in the right eye. The patient displayed restricted eye movements in all directions. Blood tests revealed a total white blood cell count of 12,100 cells/μL. Axial and coronal computed tomography revealed right-sided maxillary sinus, ethmoidal sinus, and orbital abscesses. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with septicemia, orbital cellulitis, and orbital apex syndrome in the right eye. Intravenous antibiotics were administered; paracentesis of the orbital abscess was performed under local anesthesia. However, the patient's condition worsened, resulting in a complete loss of light perception in the right eye. Accordingly, surgery was performed under general anesthesia within 24 hours of admission; the surgery involved drainage of the orbital abscess through an inferior intraorbital incision, as well as drainage of the ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus abscesses via nasal endoscopy. A culture obtained from the orbital abscess yielded S. constellatus. The infection was managed by a combination of surgical intervention, antibiotics, steroids, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. However, because of optic nerve injury, vision in the affected eye partially recovered to 20/200. CONCLUSIONS Streptococcus constellatus–induced pediatric orbital cellulitis can result in significant morbidity. The significant improvement in vision, from no light perception to 20/200, emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment in patients who present with acute orbital cellulitis and vision loss symptoms.