A Case Study on Retinoblastoma Associated Orbital Cellulitis

A 20-months-old male child was brought to the Eye clinic with swelling of right upper eyelid, discharge sticking the eyelids in the right eye and redness in both eyes of three days duration. On detailed examination of anterior segment and fundus, the diagnosis of bilateral retinoblastoma with conjunctivitis was made. The conjunctivitis was cured with ciprofloxacin eye drops and eye ointment. CT scan of orbits and brain confirmed the diagnosis of retinoblastoma with calcification in both eyes. Optic nerve on both sides was normal and there was no metastasis in the brain. Since it was a bilateral case of retinoblastoma, chemoreduction followed by enucleation in the right eye, and salvaging the left eye with chemotherapy in order to save the vision was planned.

Intravenous triple drug chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide and vincristine (six cycles) was started by pediatric oncologist in pediatric ward. After two weeks of completing the first cycle of treatment, enucleation of right eye was done. Postoperative period was uneventful. The chemotherapy was continued. The child developed marked swelling of left upper eyelid few days before the sixth cycle of chemotherapy. Examination of left eye showed signs of aseptic orbital cellulitis which was treated with oral prednisolone and topical eye drops of combination of gentamycin and dexamethasone. The inflammatory signs subsided completely in ten days time. The sixth cycle of chemotherapy was completed. On the follow up visit two weeks after discharge, the left eye ball was normal. In the first follow up, the child could pick up the toys thrown in front of him. Unfortunately the child defaulted follow up. Retinoblastoma should be excluded in all young children with orbital cellulitis because misdiagnosis is life threatening.