Recurrent periorbital cellulitis in a child. A random event or an underlying anatomical abnormality?

We present a case of recurrent periorbital cellulitis in a child. From the age of 2 years the child was admitted with periorbital cellulitis a total of six times with the first five episodes responding to conservative management with intravenous antibiotics. On the sixth admission endoscopic surgical treatment was carried out. Two abnormalities were noted: an anatomically abnormal uncinate process and an isolated abscess in an ethmoidal cell. It is believed that the abnormal uncinate process caused obstruction of the osteomeatal area, predisposing to recurrent peri-orbital cellulitis. We discuss the importance of early imaging and surgery in recurrent periorbital cellulitis.