Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Acute pediatric rhinosinusitis is most commonly caused by <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>, <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>, and <i>Moraxella catarrhalis</i>. The involvement of <i>Enterobacter</i>...

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Main Authors: Andrei Osman, Irina Enache, Alice Elena Ghenea, Alexandra Bucătaru, Sidonia Cătălina Vrabie, Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Reports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/66
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author Andrei Osman
Irina Enache
Alice Elena Ghenea
Alexandra Bucătaru
Sidonia Cătălina Vrabie
Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian
author_facet Andrei Osman
Irina Enache
Alice Elena Ghenea
Alexandra Bucătaru
Sidonia Cătălina Vrabie
Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian
author_sort Andrei Osman
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Acute pediatric rhinosinusitis is most commonly caused by <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>, <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>, and <i>Moraxella catarrhalis</i>. The involvement of <i>Enterobacter</i> species is rare and typically linked to chronic or nosocomial infections. Typical cases of acute rhinosinusitis in children present with abundant nasal discharge, headache, and fever and are generally managed with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mucolytics, and topical intranasal treatment. Atypical presentations prompt heightened clinical attention, and depending on the symptoms and patient status, surgical interventions might be considered. <b>Case Presentation</b>: We report the case of a previously healthy 5-year-old boy presenting with painful unilateral palpebral edema, minimal ipsilateral nasal discharge, and persistent headache despite standard rhinosinusitis therapy. Imaging tests revealed complete right maxillary sinus opacification. As the clinical response to ceftriaxone and dexamethasone was minimal, we opted for endoscopic sinus surgery. A nasal swab culture identified <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. in the nasal discharge. <b>Conclusions</b>: Unusual pathogens like <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. can cause acute sinusitis in children without prior risk factors. Early surgical intervention and culture-adjusted antimicrobial therapy remain critical for favorable outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-086d22969c074d8e9c25d1ea8524c2bf2025-08-20T03:27:42ZengMDPI AGReports2571-841X2025-05-01826610.3390/reports8020066Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric CaseAndrei Osman0Irina Enache1Alice Elena Ghenea2Alexandra Bucătaru3Sidonia Cătălina Vrabie4Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian5Otorhinolaringology Department, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, 200642 Craiova, RomaniaOtorhinolaringology Department, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, 200642 Craiova, RomaniaClinical Laboratory, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, 200642 Craiova, RomaniaDoctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaClinical Laboratory, Emergency County Hospital of Craiova, 200642 Craiova, Romania<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Acute pediatric rhinosinusitis is most commonly caused by <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>, <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>, and <i>Moraxella catarrhalis</i>. The involvement of <i>Enterobacter</i> species is rare and typically linked to chronic or nosocomial infections. Typical cases of acute rhinosinusitis in children present with abundant nasal discharge, headache, and fever and are generally managed with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mucolytics, and topical intranasal treatment. Atypical presentations prompt heightened clinical attention, and depending on the symptoms and patient status, surgical interventions might be considered. <b>Case Presentation</b>: We report the case of a previously healthy 5-year-old boy presenting with painful unilateral palpebral edema, minimal ipsilateral nasal discharge, and persistent headache despite standard rhinosinusitis therapy. Imaging tests revealed complete right maxillary sinus opacification. As the clinical response to ceftriaxone and dexamethasone was minimal, we opted for endoscopic sinus surgery. A nasal swab culture identified <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. in the nasal discharge. <b>Conclusions</b>: Unusual pathogens like <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. can cause acute sinusitis in children without prior risk factors. Early surgical intervention and culture-adjusted antimicrobial therapy remain critical for favorable outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/66acute rhinosinusitispediatric rhinosinusitiscomputed imagingpainful palpebral edema<i>Enterobacter</i> speciesendoscopic ethmoidectomy
spellingShingle Andrei Osman
Irina Enache
Alice Elena Ghenea
Alexandra Bucătaru
Sidonia Cătălina Vrabie
Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian
Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
Reports
acute rhinosinusitis
pediatric rhinosinusitis
computed imaging
painful palpebral edema
<i>Enterobacter</i> species
endoscopic ethmoidectomy
title Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
title_full Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
title_fullStr Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
title_full_unstemmed Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
title_short Unilateral Palpebral Edema as a Central Sign of Acute Enterobacter-Associated Rhinosinusitis in a 5-Year-Old: A Rare Pediatric Case
title_sort unilateral palpebral edema as a central sign of acute enterobacter associated rhinosinusitis in a 5 year old a rare pediatric case
topic acute rhinosinusitis
pediatric rhinosinusitis
computed imaging
painful palpebral edema
<i>Enterobacter</i> species
endoscopic ethmoidectomy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-841X/8/2/66
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