Abstract
(Peri)orbital infections comprise a multitude of diagnoses, ranging from common hordeolum
to rare but life-threatening necrotizing fasciitis. However, these disease entities
are rarely
diagnosed by an ophthalmic pathologist because (peri)orbital infections are usually
diagnosed clinically, with the help of imaging and microbiological techniques when
indicated. In this
review article, the role of ophthalmopathology in the diagnosis of (peri)orbital
infections is illustrated on the basis of several exemple diagnoses. An infectious
hordeolum must be
distinguished from a noninfectious chalazion. A nodular thickening of the eyelid,
which is diagnosed and treated as a chalazion, can hide a malignant neoplasia. The
correct diagnosis and
treatment of canaliculitis is often delayed. In this context the most common
causative organism, Actinomyces, can be depicted histologically, as can lacrimal stones/dacryoliths.
Necrotizing
fasciitis is a rapidly worsening infection of the fascia, which can lead to necrosis,
sepsis, and death. During the Sars-CoV2 pandemic, an increased incidence of mucormycosis
cases was
observed, especially in India. This superinfection was facilitated by the widespread
use of steroids and immunosuppression. Histologically, it is possible to visualize
infiltration of vessel
walls by the fungus. Ophthalmopathology contributes to the diagnosis and to understanding
the pathophysiology of these diseases.
Key words
orbit - infectious diseases - pathology
