Monkeypox Presenting as Periorbital Cellulitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Monkeypox, a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus is well known for its characteristic rash with macular, papular, and vesicular stages. Although the skin is one of the most affected organs by monkeypox, the virus can also impact the respiratory, ophthalmologic, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems, among others. It is extremely common for the disease to begin with flu-like symptoms in the prodromal phase before cutaneous manifestations emerge. Here, we describe a unique case of monkeypox infection in which a patient first presented with periorbital cellulitis before any characteristic skin findings appeared. The source of the infection was unknown and the patient recovered without any complications to date. This odd presentation of monkeypox reiterates the need for a detailed evaluation of patients with a similar presentation.