Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Time-critical priorities
Immediate stabilization
Airway compromise
If stridor
If inability to handle secretions
Sepsis physiology
If hypotension
If altered mental status
Vision-threatening findings
If decreased visual acuity
If afferent pupillary defect
Intracranial extension concern
If severe headache
If meningismus
Immediate consultations
Specialist activation
Ophthalmology emergent
If any orbital signs
If any visual deficit
ENT emergent
If sinusitis source suspected
If abscess on imaging
Infectious diseases
If immunocompromised host
If unusual organism risk
Monitoring and goals
Targets and monitoring
Visual acuity trending
Baseline at presentation
Recheck after therapy changes
Pupils and color vision trending
Afferent pupillary defect checks
Red desaturation checks
Extraocular movements trending
Pain with movement
Ophthalmoplegia
Vital sign trending
Fever curve
Hemodynamic stability
Key concepts
Bedside distinctions
Orbital cellulitis definition
Infection posterior to orbital septum
Risk of optic neuropathy
Preseptal cellulitis definition
Infection anterior to orbital septum
No proptosis
Primary source patterns
Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis most common
Dental source possible
Evidence framing
Class I recommendation for urgent ophthalmology evaluation in suspected orbital cellulitis
Class I recommendation for IV antibiotics without delay when orbital cellulitis suspected
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.