Recurrent orbital compartment syndrome caused by a blow-out fracture and accumulation of air; management by orbital punctures

Unilateral Orbital Emphysema Secondary to Vitreoretinal Surgery

PURPOSE

To describe preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics, imaging findings, and clinical evolution of patients who developed orbital emphysema after vitreoretinal surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective, descriptive, observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with orbital emphysema after vitreoretinal surgery who were diagnosed and treated between January 2006 and October 2018 at a single ophthalmology referral center.

METHODS

Medical records and orbital computed tomography images were reviewed and analyzed. A minimum follow-up of 3 months was required.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

This study included 16 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 14.7 years, 50% were women, and 25% had a history of previous ocular trauma. A diagnosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was established in 75% of patients. Twenty-five percent of patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), 50% underwent encircling scleral buckling plus PPV, 18.8% underwent repeat PPV, and 6.2% underwent scleral buckling plus repeat PPV. Additionally, 62.5% received silicone oil endotamponade. The median time between vitreoretinal surgery and orbital emphysema was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 5-15 days). Mean proptosis was 6.7 ± 4.6 mm. Orbital cellulitis was considered as a differential diagnosis in 31.2% of patients, and tomographic evidence of fracture was observed in 25% of patients. Treatment with compressive patching was prescribed for 87.5% of patients, transpalpebral drainage was prescribed for 75% of patients, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was prescribed for 43.8% of patients, and surgical management was prescribed for 31.2% of patients. The comparison between BCVA before vitreoretinal surgery (median, 1.8 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]; IQR, 1.33-2.3 logMAR) and at the last follow-up (median, 2.3 logMAR; IQR, 1.42-2.8 logMAR) was not statistically significant (P = 0.125, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test). No association was found between surgeon experience and lower final BCVA (P = 0.604, Fisher exact test); however, development of ocular hypertension was associated with worse final BCVA (P = 0.0101; relative risk, 7; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-44.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Although orbital emphysema constitutes a very unusual complication of vitreoretinal surgery, it is important to identify this condition promptly and treat patients efficiently to avoid potential vision loss.

Morphological characteristics and clinical manifestations of orbital emphysema caused by isolated medial orbital wall fractures

PURPOSE

To investigate the morphological characteristics and clinical manifestations of orbital emphysema in patients with isolated medial orbital wall fractures.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational case series of 348 orbits of 348 patients with isolated medial orbital wall fractures. Medical charts were reviewed, and computed tomographic (CT) images were examined to determine the morphological characteristics of orbital emphysema.

RESULTS

Orbital emphysema was detected in 70 orbits (20.1%). Large and communited type fracture was related with the presence of orbital emphysema (P<0.05). Orbital air pockets were detected in medial or superior extraconal orbital segment in all cases with orbital emphysema. Swollen eyelid with crepitus (90.0%) and supraduction limitation (31.4%) were developed with orbital emphysema. All cases with supraduction limitation accompanied with superior extraconal orbital emphysema and superior rectus muscle deviation, and these eyes were fully recovered with conservative management without surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital emphysema can be a cause of ocular motility restriction following orbital wall fracture. If supraduction limitation is noted with isolated medial wall fracture and superior orbital emphysema with superior rectus muscle deviation is detected by CT scan, conservative management can be a good choice for spontaneous recovery delaying the surgery.

Posttraumatic orbital emphysema: a numerical model

Orbital emphysema is a common symptom accompanying orbital fracture. The pathomechanism is still not recognized and the usually assumed cause, elevated pressure in the upper airways connected with sneezing or coughing, does not always contribute to the occurrence of this type of fracture. Observations based on the finite model (simulating blowout type fracture) of the deformations of the inferior orbital wall after a strike in its lower rim. Authors created a computer numeric model of the orbit with specified features—thickness and resilience modulus. During simulation an evenly spread 14400 N force was applied to the nodular points in the inferior rim (the maximal value not causing cracking of the outer rim, but only ruptures in the inferior wall). The observation was made from 1 · 10⁻³ to 1 · 10⁻² second after a strike. Right after a strike dislocations of the inferior orbital wall toward the maxillary sinus were observed. Afterwards a retrograde wave of the dislocation of the inferior wall toward the orbit was noticed. Overall dislocation amplitude reached about 6 mm. Based on a numeric model of the orbit submitted to a strike in the inferior wall an existence of a retrograde shock wave causing orbital emphysema has been found.