Spontaneous subconjunctival abscess because of Haemophilus influenzae.

Author(s): Brooks CW 3rd, Demartelaere SL, Johnson AJ

Affiliation(s): Brooke Army Medical Center, Ophthalmology Service, TX 78234-6200, USA. clifford.w.brooks@gmail.com

Publication date & source: 2010-07, Cornea., 29(7):833-5.

Publication type: Case Reports

PURPOSE: To report a case of a spontaneous subconjunctival abscess in a patient with no previous ocular surgery or trauma. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: We report a case of a subconjunctival abscess caused by Haemophilus influenzae after several days of worsening conjunctivitis. Computed tomography scans of the orbits confirmed an abscess cavity adjacent to the globe without orbital extension. The abscess was spontaneously draining at presentation and resolved completely with topical and oral antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first-described case of spontaneous subconjunctival abscess formation in an immunocompetent individual unrelated to preexisting ocular pathology, previous ocular surgery, or trauma. H. influenzae species may possess the ability to penetrate an intact conjunctiva and develop subconjunctival abscess. We recommend that patients presenting with bacterial conjunctivitis be closely examined to rule out subconjunctival abscess, which may require additional aggressive medical or surgical management.