Floor Orbital Fracture Workup

  • Author: Geoffrey M Kwitko, MD, FACS, FICS; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 15, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • The only lab studies are those needed for clearance for surgery (eg, CBC count, sequential multiple analysis, chest x-ray, bleed times).
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Imaging Studies

  • For most orbital fractures, the imaging study of choice is CT scan. A CT scan with axial and coronal views is optimal. Ask for thin cuts (2-3 mm) with specific attention to the orbital floor and optic canal.[6, 7] See the image below. Coronal CT scan of orbits demonstrating loss of orCoronal CT scan of orbits demonstrating loss of orbital floor on the left in contrast to the normal orbital floor on the right.
  • When the patient has severe head and neck trauma, the radiologist may have difficulty positioning the patient to obtain coronal views. Because these views are generally the most helpful for evaluating the integrity of the orbital floor, the surgeon may ask the radiologist to obtain very thin axial cuts to allow reconstructed coronal views to be obtained.
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Procedures

  • Forced duction testing may be performed in the office to confirm that limited extraocular movements are due to restriction of the inferior rectus muscle instead of third nerve branch palsy. Testing should be performed after the orbital edema subsides, usually 10 days to 2 weeks after the trauma.
  • Testing should be performed at the beginning of a surgery to repair the floor fracture as well as at the end of the case. This will assure the surgeon that he has completely reduced the herniated tissue and that any residual motility deficit is neurologic and not mechanical.
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Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Geoffrey M Kwitko, MD, FACS, FICS  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida

Geoffrey M Kwitko, MD, FACS, FICS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and International College of Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Ron W Pelton, MD, PhD  Private Practice, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ron W Pelton, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, AO Foundation, and Colorado Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD  Consulting Staff, Division of Oculoplastic, Orbito-facial, Lacrimal and Reconstructive Surgery, Green Bay Eye Clinic, BayCare Clinic; Medical Director, Advanced Cosmetic Solutions, A BayCare Clinic

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Allergan - Botox Cosmetic Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Della Rocca RC, Nassif JM. Blowout fractures. In: Linberg JV, ed. Oculoplastic and Orbital Emergencies. Appleton & Lange; 1990:155-165.

  2. Green RP Jr, Peters DR, Shore JW, et al. Force necessary to fracture the orbital floor. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;6(3):211-7. [Medline].

  3. Kersten RC. Blowout fracture of the orbital floor with entrapment caused by isolated trauma to the orbital rim. Am J Ophthalmol. Feb 15 1987;103(2):215-20. [Medline].

  4. Bansagi ZC, Meyer DR. Internal orbital fractures in the pediatric age group: characterization and management. Ophthalmology. May 2000;107(5):829-36. [Medline].

  5. Rubin PAD, Bilyk JR, Shore JW. Management of orbital trauma: fractures, hemorrhage, and traumatic optic neuropathy. Focal Points: Clinical Modules for Ophthalmologists. 1994;12:7.

  6. Gilbard SM, Mafee MF, Lagouros PA, et al. Orbital blowout fractures. The prognostic significance of computed tomography. Ophthalmology. Nov 1985;92(11):1523-8. [Medline].

  7. Tan Baser N, Bulutoglu R, Celebi NU, Aslan G. Clinical management and reconstruction of isolated orbital floor fractures: The role of computed tomography during preoperative evaluation. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. Nov 2011;17(6):545-53. [Medline].

  8. Smith B, Regan WF. Blow-out fractures of the orbit: mechanism and correction of internal orbital fracture. Am J Ophthalmol. 1957;44:733.

  9. Piombino P, Iaconetta G, Ciccarelli R, Romeo A, Spinzia A, Califano L. Repair of orbital floor fractures: our experience and new technical findings. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. Dec 2010;3(4):217-22. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  10. Jordan DR, Allen LH, White J, et al. Intervention within days for some orbital floor fractures: the white-eyed blowout. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Nov 1998;14(6):379-90. [Medline].

  11. Egbert JE, May K, Kersten RC, et al. Pediatric orbital floor fracture : direct extraocular muscle involvement. Ophthalmology. Oct 2000;107(10):1875-9. [Medline].

  12. Magaña FG, Arzac RM, De Hilario Avilés L. Combined use of titanium mesh and resorbable PLLA-PGA implant in the treatment of large orbital floor fractures. J Craniofac Surg. Nov 2011;22(6):1991-5. [Medline].

 
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Coronal CT scan of orbits demonstrating loss of orbital floor on the left in contrast to the normal orbital floor on the right.
 
 
 
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