Acute ptosis as a presentation of preseptal cellulitis leading to cerebral abscess in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes

Abstract

Acute ptosis due to preseptal cellulitis requires urgent medical attention, as the infection can extend posteriorly into the orbit, leading to significant visual and cerebral complications. We report a case of a 58-year-old woman with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus presenting with acute ptosis due to preseptal cellulitis. After initial resolution of fever with intravenous amoxicillin-clavulanate, she experienced a seizure due to cerebral abscess a week later and was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone. Preseptal cellulitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis with oral antibiotics, as it rarely extends posteriorly to cause cerebral complications. We wish to highlight the importance of admitting patients with preseptal cellulitis in patients with uncontrolled diabetes for intravenous antibiotics due to the potential for visual and cerebral complications.