Orbital blowout fractures: a ten-year survey

Prevalence of Diplopia and Extraocular Movement Limitation according to the Location of Isolated Pure Blowout Fractures

Background

Isolated pure blowout fractures are clinically important because they are the main cause of serious complications such as diplopia and limitation of extraocular movement. Many reports have described the incidence of blowout fractures associated with diplopia and limitation of extraocular movement; however, no studies have statistically analyzed this relationship. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the correlation between the location of isolated pure blowout fractures and orbital symptoms such as diplopia and limitation of extraocular movement.

Methods

We enrolled a total of 354 patients who had been diagnosed with isolated pure blowout fractures, based on computed tomography, from June 2008 to November 2011. Medical records were reviewed, and the prevalence of extraocular movement limitations and diplopia were determined.

Results

There were 14 patients with extraocular movement limitation and 58 patients complained of diplopia. Extraocular movement limitation was associated with the following findings, in decreasing order of frequency: floor fracture (7.1%), extended fracture (3.6%), and medial wall (1.7%). However, there was no significant difference among the types of fractures (P=0.60). Diplopia was more commonly associated with floor fractures (21.4%) and extended type fractures (23.6%) than medial wall fractures (10.4%). The difference was statistically significant (Bonferroni-corrected chi-squared test P<0.016).

Conclusions

Data indicate that extended type fractures and orbital floor fractures tend to cause diplopia more commonly than medial wall fractures. However, extraocular movement limitation was not found to be dependent on the location of the orbital wall fracture.

Comparison of the outcomes of non-trapdoor-type blowout fracture repair according to the time of surgery

PURPOSE

We classified the outcomes of non-trapdoor-type blowout fracture repair by surgical indications and then compared the outcomes according to the time of treatment.

METHODS

The medical records of 591 patients with orbital fractures that were treated surgically within 30 days of trauma were included in the study. The enrolled patients were classified into 2 groups by the major surgical indications: 1 group included patients with diplopia or limited extraocular motion, and the other group of patients had significant enophthalmos (>2 mm) or a large fracture on computed tomography (>½). The clinical outcomes were compared between the patients who received surgical repair within 14 days of trauma (early) and those who received treatment from 15 to 30 days after the trauma (delayed) in each group.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-three patients received surgical repair because of diplopia or limited extraocular motion. Both the early repaired group (n = 195) and the delayed repaired group (n = 38) showed significant improvement after surgeries. The degree of preoperative and postoperative diplopia and limited extraocular motion was not associated with differences between the 2 groups. Four hundred one patients received surgical repair because of enophthalmos (>2 mm) or a large fracture on computed tomography (>½). Both the early repaired group (n = 328) and the delayed repaired group (n = 73) showed significant improvement of the enophthalmos after surgeries. The degree of preoperative/postoperative enophthalmos did not show differences between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

If the blowout fracture repairs were performed within a month, the surgical outcomes did not differ according to the time of surgery in the cases of nontrapdoor blowout fracture.

Orbital floor fractures: outcomes of reconstruction

Since the 1950s, myriad materials have been used to reconstruct orbital floor fractures. Technological advances have afforded new materials for reconstruction. Recent comparisons of materials have not been reported. Retrospective chart review was performed using current procedural terminology coding for orbital floor fractures treated between 1991 and 2009. A total of 510 charts were reviewed; 317 adult patients met criteria. Forty-seven of these patients underwent bilateral floor explorations, yielding 364 orbital floor fractures. Mean age was 33.7 years. Motor vehicle collision, assault, all-terrain vehicles, and falls constituted the majority of injury mechanisms. Impure blowouts were the most common fracture type, and zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures were the most common pattern. Materials included autologous bone, porous polyethylene, titanium, and porous polyethylene with incorporated titanium. Use of bone graft correlated with postoperative orbital dystopia and enophthalmos, as compared with alloplastic implants. Bone rigidity, unpredictable thickness, and resorption may contribute. Once the gold standard of orbital reconstruction, autologous bone may have been eclipsed by modern materials.

Upper lid transconjunctival versus transcutaneous approach for fracture repair of the lateral orbital rim

The use of the lower eyelid transconjunctival approach in the setting of orbital trauma has becoming increasingly popular in recent years. However, experience has found that access to the lateral orbital rim can be somewhat limited with this type of incision. Many authors supplement the approach with a lateral canthotomy in order to gain adequate access laterally. Although usually well tolerated, there can be side effects associated with this incision. We examine the upper lid transconjunctival approach to the lateral orbital rim. Furthermore, we compare this technique to the more traditional transcutaneous approaches used for orbital trauma. We have found this technique to be safe, effective, and to cause no more complications than the more traditional approaches.

Blowout fractures: surgical outcome in relation to age, time of intervention, and other preoperative risk factors

We sought to describe outcome of surgical repair in patients presenting with orbital blowout fractures. This noncomparative, retrospective, consecutive case series reviewed the case notes of 63 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a blowout fracture between November 1992 and March 2005. Risk factors for motility outcome as well as presence of enophthalmos after surgery were analyzed. Children had earlier surgery than adults (p < 001) and tended to have better motility outcome than adults. Surgery performed within the first week showed a trend for better outcome, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.231). Assault had the best motility outcome, compared with other modes of trauma. Patients with worse preoperative motility had better outcome (p < 0.001). Enophthalmos improved significantly after surgery (p < 001). Children as compared with adults and surgery performed within the first week tended to have better motility outcome, but this was not statistically significant.

Comparison of orbital fracture repair performed within 14 days versus 15 to 29 days after trauma

PURPOSE

To examine whether orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture repair delayed for 15 to 29 days is as effective as early surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review is reported comparing outcomes of early fracture repairs (performed 1-14 days after trauma) to delayed fracture repairs (performed 15-29 days after trauma). Ocular motility, diplopia, and time to resolution of diplopia postoperatively are the main endpoints.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were included in the study: 36 underwent early fracture repair (average 9 days after trauma) and 22 underwent delayed fracture repair (average 19 days after trauma). Ocular motility was equivalent in both groups, both before and after surgery. Patient reports of diplopia and frequency of strabisumus surgery were also equivalent in both groups. The time to resolution or stability of diplopia postoperatively is independent of the time to surgery within the first 29 days after trauma.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 14 days after trauma is commonly cited as a timeline target for orbital blowout repair, these data show that effective fracture repair can be performed up to 29 days after trauma. Patients with improving diplopia and at low risk for enophthalmos can therefore be observed for 3 to 4 weeks prior to undergoing surgery. This may help prevent unnecessary surgery in some cases. Fourteen days need not be considered a deadline for orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture repair.

Nylon foil "wraparound" repair of combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures

PURPOSE

To evaluate a technique of implanting a single 0.4-mm-thick nylon foil (Supramid) continuously across combined medial wall and floor fractures within weeks of orbital trauma.

METHODS

This retrospective, interventional case series includes patients with combined medial wall and floor fractures with or without external orbital and facial fractures, without prior surgery, and who were in the early posttrauma phase. One hundred two orbits in 98 consecutive patients were treated with a "wraparound" technique. The surgical technique is provided in detail. Comatose patients, those with cranial nerve palsies, severe globe injury, anophthalmia, or previous repair of the same fractures were excluded. Patients underwent surgery from 5 to 21 days after trauma. Postoperatively (average, 6.2 months), patients were evaluated for enophthalmos, extraocular motility, and diplopia.

RESULTS

In 101 of 102 orbits, normal globe position, and full extraocular motility without diplopia was accomplished. One orbit had persistent enophthalmos, requiring a second procedure. This same patient had ipsilateral restriction in extreme upgaze, but no diplopia symptoms. This orbit had complete loss of inferomedial strut support. Overall, strut loss was not a risk factor for subsequent enophthalmos. No other patient had globe malposition, restrictive myopathy, or diplopia. Implant migration, hemorrhage, fistula, or infection was not observed. The transconjunctival and canthal wounds were hidden and tolerated by all patients with no eyelid cicatrization, webbing, or malposition.

CONCLUSIONS

The "wraparound" technique for 0.4-mm nylon foil implantation continuously across orbital floor and medial wall fractures was associated with almost no enophthalmos and diplopia in this series.

Semiautomatic Procedure for Individual Preforming of Titanium Meshes for Orbital Fractures

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the orbital floor is a key procedure in primary or secondary orbital deformity. A new procedure for individually bending and preforming implants preoperatively for the reconstruction of orbital fractures is presented.

METHODS

By using diagnostic computed tomographic scan data, the topography of the orbital floor and wall structures can be recalculated. After mirroring the unaffected side onto the affected side, the defect can be reconstructed virtually. Data of the individual virtual model of the orbital cavity are sent to a template machine that reproduces the surface of the orbital floor and medial walls automatically. A titanium mesh can then be adjusted preoperatively for exact three-dimensional reconstruction. Twelve patients with orbital fractures were treated using individually preformed titanium implants.

RESULTS

All patients treated with this procedure showed normal eye mobility and function after primary reconstruction. The accuracy of the preformed implants lies in the range of 1 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure offers an individual anatomical reconstruction of the orbital cavity true to original, especially when the deep orbital cone is affected. Navigation-aided procedures guarantee intraoperatively an exact placement of the preformed mesh even for precise reconstruction of extensive orbital defects.

Topographical CT-data analysis of the human orbital floor

The aim of this study was to evaluate the topographical anatomy of the human orbital floor for the production of prefabricated implants on the basis of computer tomography data. A database of 279 CT scans of Caucasian patients without traumatic deformation of the midface was analysed. 3D-image segmentation of the midfacial skeleton was performed using a computer-assisted protocol. A virtual plane (50 x 50 mm (2)) was constructed using defined landmarks above the orbital floor. An automated procedure was used to measure the distance between the orbital floor and the constructed plane at 400 distinct points. A mathematical algorithm was used to analyse the data, and to calculate a map of the orbital floor. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that orbital floor topography could be classified as distinct clusters. There were 12 variations of orbital floor anatomy: three unique patterns of the orbital floor for the right orbit and three corresponding patterns for the left side, all of which varied between the sexes. The 12 patterns were constructed with a statistical confidence interval of 1.36+/-0.6mm.

Individually preformed titanium mesh implants for a true-to-original repair of orbital fractures

The purpose of this investigation is to present the results using preoperatively-formed titanium mesh implants for a true-to-original primary repair of extensive orbital floor and medial wall fractures. Individually preformed implants were used to repair extensive orbital floor injuries in 19 patients at the University Hospital, Freiburg. The form of the orbital floor and walls was analysed by preoperative diagnostic CT scan data. The form of the virtual reconstructed orbit was transformed into a model of the orbital cavity by a template machine. Postoperative imaging by or CT scan verified the exact 3D reconstruction of the orbital cavity 'true to original'. None of the patients demonstrated diplopia or enophthalmos postoperatively. Using individually preformed titanium mesh implants, the accuracy of the 3D orbital reconstruction was within a range of 1mm. The reconstruction using preformed implants proved to be less time consuming, more precise and less invasive, compared to 'free hand' efforts, for the repair of orbital injuries using titanium mesh and calvarial grafts.

Orbital blow-out fractures: surgical timing and technique

PURPOSE

To recommend a tailored approach to surgical timing in the repair of orbital blow-out fractures, and to offer suggestions for improved functional and aesthetic surgical outcomes.

METHODS

Traditional guidelines for surgical timing are reviewed. An evidence-based approach that considers soft-tissue disruption relative to bone-fragment separation is presented. The author's techniques for repair of isolated orbital floor, isolated medial wall, and combined floor-medial wall fractures are presented.

RESULTS

As demonstrated previously, greater degrees of soft-tissue incarceration or displacement, with presumably greater intrinsic damage and subsequent fibrosis, result in poorer motility outcomes despite complete release of soft tissues. There is a suggestion that earlier intervention for such injuries might improve outcomes. Lower fornix and transcaruncular incisions, careful extrication of incarcerated tissue, and thin alloplastic implants have proven successful in the author's hands.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of soft-tissue displacement relative to bone fragment distraction, as depicted in preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, should be considered in the timing of surgery. Incisions, soft-tissue handling, and implant material, thickness, and positioning can all affect the functional and aesthetic outcomes.

When Is Enophthalmos “Significant”?

PURPOSE

It is currently unknown how many measurable millimeters of enophthalmos may be noticeable to an observer. Identifying the amount of enophthalmos present may help to guide patients and clinicians in regard to surgical management of enophthalmos.

METHODS

The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Oculoplastics imaging database was used to select 12 photographs of patients with unilateral enophthalmos whose measurements ranged between 1 mm and 8 mm for the study group and 12 photographs of patients who did not have enophthalmos as the control group. Observers were asked to review each of the photographs from both groups and to comment on whether the appearance was normal or abnormal.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference found when observers reviewed photographs from the control group and patients whose measurements ranged between 1 mm and 2 mm (87%, 83% respondents identifying patients as normal, respectively). Twenty-eight percent of observers found patients with 3 mm and 4 mm of enophthalmos as having a normal appearance (P < 0.001). Ninety-seven percent of observers commented that patients with measurements of 5 mm and 8 mm had an abnormal appearance (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with 2 mm and less of measurable enophthalmos had a normal appearance as frequently as those without enophthalmos. Nearly all patients with measurements of 5 mm and greater had abnormal appearances. The point at which enophthalmos becomes detectable lies between 3 mm and 4 mm.

Reconstruction of complex orbitocranial deformities using bioresorbable mesh, sterilized orbital models, and in situ contouring

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of bioresorbable mesh in reconstruction of orbitocranial deformities.

METHODS

A retrospective case series evaluating 6 orbits of 6 patients, ages 12 to 70 years old, with large multicontoured orbitocranial defects that were repaired using bioresorbable macroporous mesh. Both functional (presence of diplopia, ocular motility, exophthalmometry, and vertical globe position) and cosmetic outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Follow-up time ranged from 20 to 48 months (mean, 29.1 months). After surgery, all patients reported cosmetically pleasing results. Diplopia resolved in all patients. Ocular motility, exophthalmos, enophthalmos, and vertical globe positioning improved in all patients. One patient had new onset of mild enophthalmos and hypoglobus after surgery. No cases of implant exposure or instability occurred. Complications included one patient with skin breakdown over a previous site of irradiation and one patient with ptosis requiring surgical correction.

CONCLUSIONS

Bioresorbable macroporous mesh combined with bone grafts is a useful and accurate method to reconstruct complex multicontoured orbitocranial defects.

Conservative Treatment of Isolated Medial Orbital Wall Fractures

The decision to use surgical or nonsurgical treatment for orbital blow-out fractures is still controversial. Previously, it was advocated that all blow-out fractures should be treated surgically based on the conception that extraocular muscles were blown out and trapped in the fracture area. However, a shift to a more conservative approach occurred gradually, most likely due to the evidence of spontaneous improvement. The medical records of two patients who were diagnosed as having an isolated medial wall fracture with medial rectus muscle displacement into the ethmoid sinus, as demonstrated by computed tomography, were reviewed. Both patients showed improvement only with conservative therapy.

Ocular motility disturbances in orbital wall fracture patients

It is difficult to identify the exact cause of ocular motility disturbances in orbital wall fracture patients. By performing CT and ocular motility tests before and after surgery, this study analyzes the functions of the extraocular muscles and determines correlations between the results. Between February 2001 and January 2003, 45 eyes of 45 patients with orbital wall fractures, whose medical records could be traced back at least 6 months, underwent surgical repair in our hospital. All variables were analyzed using the independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test. There was no significant difference in the location and degree of fracture and the incarceration pattern of 6 patients who had moderate or severe diplopia, and of the remaining patients 6 months after surgery. However, in the case of diplopia, the sum of ocular motility limitation was 5.67 +/- 4.18, and the degree of extraocular motility disturbance was 3.67 +/- 2.42 before surgery. When there was no diplopia, the sum of ocular motility limitation was 1.13 +/- 1.38, and the degree of extraocular motility disturbance was 1.08 +/- 1.16 (p < 0.005, independent t-test). Ocular movement was successfully recovered by surgical reduction within 3 weeks from trauma. Postoperative ocular motility disturbance was more related to various ocular motility test results than CT findings. Ocular motility disturbances can remain after surgery if ocular motility limitation and extraocular motility disturbance are significant after trauma. Additional studies on the various tests to examine functions of extraocular muscles are required to identify and analyze the exact cause of ocular motility disturbance.

Orbitastabilisierung mit Suprabrow-Periosttranspositionslappen

BACKGROUND

Common reasons for orbital defects are midfacial traumas or defects following tumor resection within the sinu-orbital region. In these cases, reconstruction of the medial or inferior orbital wall often is required. Common materials for orbital reconstruction, such as titanium-mesh, are used where epithelialisation problems are frequently encountered.

METHODS

Three patients with extended resection of malignomas of the medial and inferior orbit wall were reconstructed with a myofascial transposition flap from the suprabrow region.

RESULTS

Orbital tumor infiltration was present in 11 of the 54 patients treated from 1997 to 2003 for tumors of the nasal region. In three cases, tumor extension to the medial and caudal orbital wall required extensive tissue resection, including the periorbit. In these cases, we created a new horizontal fascial flap from the suprabrow-region which stabilized the bulbus by fixation to the lateral maxilla. Follow-up 12 months after surgery showed good epithelialisation of the reconstructed region without functional deficits.

CONCLUSION

This previously undescribed fascial suprabrow-flap constitutes a valuable method in the reconstruction of large combined defects of the medial and caudal orbit wall profiting particularly from the autologous material used.

Blindness after facial fractures: A 19-year retrospective study

PURPOSE

We conducted a 19-year review of patients with facial fractures who were treated in the Iranian Maxillofacial Unit at the Mobasher Emergency Hospital, Hamedan Province, Iran, to specifically consider those fractures that resulted in blindness or severe visual impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During the period of February 16, 1984, to March 20, 2003, a total of 2,503 patients with facial fractures were operatively treated. Of these, 550 (22%) patients had orbital region fractures and were specifically studied.

RESULTS

From our facial fractures database, 83 (3.31%) patients were identified as having ocular or extraocular injuries. Of these, 39 patients (1.56%) had severe visual impairment or blindness.

CONCLUSIONS

Laterally directed forces are implied as major causative factors in blindness or visual impairment. Males (83.3%), left eye (63.3%), third and fourth age decades (53.3%), and motor vehicle accidents (63.3%) were the most commonly involved gender, site, age, and cause of monocular blindness, respectively.

Stumpfes Augentrauma

This review presents typical patterns of posterior segment injuries as well as diagnostic and therapeutic considerations after ocular contusion or rupture of the globe. Vitreal prolapse is associated with retinal detachment (20%), iridodialysis or ciliary body cleft (43%), and contusion cataract (41%). Berlin's edema (35%) and retinal detachment (5-7%) are frequent after ocular contusion. In cases of central Berlin's edema, choroidal infarction (Hutchinson-Siegrist-Neubauer syndrome) or choroidal rupture, macular hole or choroidal neovascularization should be ruled out. A central choroidal rupture is often associated with choroidal neovascularization (14-20%). Globe ruptures (5% of blunt injuries) are associated with hyphema grades III and IV (58 vs 5% in ocular contusions). The prognosis of globe ruptures to develop a visual function <20/200 is 51 times more frequent than in eyes with contusion. The risk of trauma-induced globe ruptures is higher in eyes after cataract surgery (27 x) (in females 5 x).

Blow-Out Fracture of the Orbital Floor in Early Childhood

Because of the anatomy of the developing bones in early childhood, blow-out fractures are rare before the age of 8 years. We present two cases where after a fall, computed tomography examinations revealed a blow-out fracture of the left orbital floor in a 12-month-old child and 27-month-old child. Because no associated symptoms were noted, both cases were managed conservatively.

Endoscopic endonasal or transmaxillary repair of orbital floor fracture: a study of 88 patients treated in our department

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic repairs of orbital floor fractures performed in our department were reviewed and postoperative outcomes were assessed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The subjects comprised 88 patients who underwent surgery between 1991 and 2001, 14 of whom had trapdoor fractures. Endoscopic repair was performed when diplopia did not improve after 1 week of conservative treatment. Fractures were repaired via endonasal or transmaxillary routes and fixed with a urinary bladder catheter.

RESULTS

The postoperative course was evaluated on the basis of change in diplopia. After surgery, diplopia resolved in 79.5% of patients but remained, especially on upward gaze, in 20.5% of patients. Residual diplopia was more common in patients with trapdoor fracture.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic endonasal and transmaxillary repairs were effective and less invasive methods for freeing orbital tissues trapped by fragments of fractured bone and for restoring smooth ocular movements. However, suspected trapdoor fractures should be repaired within 1 week after injury in order to prevent fibrosis from developing in orbital tissues owing to entrapment by bone fragments.

Transantral endoscopic orbital floor repair using resorbable plate

The transantral endoscopic orbital floor approach can be used to repair pure orbital floor blowout fractures, avoiding the risks of lower lid incisions. A transoral incision is made to expose the anterior maxillary wall. A 1-cm2 antral bone flap gives access to the maxillary sinus and infraorbital floor. The size and fracture configuration are defined using a 30-degree, 4-mm endoscope. Stable bony shelves are identified adjacent to the fracture. Resorbable bone plating material is cut slightly larger than the defect. The material is introduced through defect, rotated, and allowed to rest on the stable medial, lateral, and anterior orbital shelves. Fixation is not required if there is adequate stability of the bony shelves. If not, direct screw fixation can be done from below.

Safety of titanium mesh for orbital reconstruction

During the past several decades, the standard of care for orbital reconstruction after trauma has been autogenous bone grafts. Complications of bone grafts, including donor site morbidities such as scar alopecia and graft resorption with delayed enophthalmos, have inspired an interest in the use of alloplastic substitutes such as titanium. Titanium's role in orbital reconstruction was limited originally to small orbital defects, and as an adjunct to bone grafts. More recently, clinical studies have documented the sole use of titanium mesh to reconstruct large orbital defects. This study sought to document further the safety and efficacy of titanium mesh in reconstructing large orbital defects after facial trauma, with more extensive follow-up compared with previous studies. In the current study, 55 patients with 67 orbital fractures underwent orbital reconstruction with titanium mesh over a 5-year period. Associated fractures were reduced anatomically and fixed rigidly. For the analysis, 44 patients with 56 orbital fractures had adequate follow-up (mean, 44 months). An abscess developed in one patient who received high-dose steroids for 72 hours before reconstruction. She was treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and bedside incision and drainage, and did not require removal of the titanium mesh. No patient in the current series required removal of the titanium mesh. A single case of uncorrected enophthalmos was treated with bone grafting rather than mesh revision. Large orbital defects can be reconstructed using titanium mesh with good functional results and minimal risk for infection. This study covered the authors' first 5 years using titanium. They have now used titanium mesh in orbital reconstructions for more than 10 years, without any additional cases of infection.

A current 10-year retrospective survey of 199 surgically treated orbital floor fractures in a nonurban tertiary care center

This study characterizes the surgically treated patient population suffering from orbital floor fractures by use of current data from a large series consisting of 199 cases taken from a nonurban setting. Data were gathered through a retrospective chart review of patients surgically treated for orbital floor fractures at the University of Michigan Health System, collected over a 10-year period. Data regarding patient demographics, signs and symptoms of presentation, cause of injury, nature of injury, associated facial fractures, ocular injury, and associated nonfacial skeleton trauma were collected. In total, there were 199 cases of orbital floor fractures among 189 patients. Male patients outnumbered female patients by a 2:1 ratio and were found to engage in a wider range of behaviors that resulted in orbital floor fractures. Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of orbital floor fractures, followed by physical assault and sports-related mechanisms. The ratio of impure to pure orbital floor fracture was 3:1. The most common signs and symptoms associated with orbital floor fractures, in descending order, were periorbital ecchymosis, diplopia, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and enophthalmos. Associated facial fractures were found in 77.2 percent of patients, the most prevalent of which was the zygoma-malar fracture. Serious ocular injury occurred in 19.6 percent of patients, with globe rupture being the most prevalent, accounting for 40.5 percent of those injuries. There was a 38.1 percent occurrence of associated nonfacial skeletal trauma; skull fracture and intracranial injury were the most prevalent manifestations. Associated cervical-spine fractures were rare (0.5 percent). Statistical examination, using odds ratios and chi-squared analysis, demonstrated significant associations that have not previously been reported. Impure and pure orbital floor fractures revealed striking differences in several demographic aspects, including mechanism of injury, signs and symptoms of presentation, spectrum of associated trauma, and the severity of concomitant trauma.

Barotraumatic blowout fracture of the orbit

We report a rare case of a barotraumatic blowout fracture of the orbit. A 32-year-old woman presented with sudden swelling of the right orbital region after vigorous nose blowing. Computed tomography scan revealed a blowout fracture of the medial wall of the right orbit with orbital emphysema and herniation of the orbital soft tissue. She was treated with prednisolone and an antibiotic, and did not show diplopia or visual disturbance. Three different theories have so far been proposed to explain the mechanism of blowout fractures, globe-to-wall contact theory, hydraulic theory, and bone conduction theory. The present case indicates that blowout fractures of the orbit can be induced solely by a sudden change of pressure, thereby suggesting the validity of the hydraulic theory.