Orbital Floor Fractures (Blowout) Workup

  • Author: Adam J Cohen, MD; Chief Editor: Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS   more...
 
Updated: Mar 6, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

If alcohol or illicit drug use is suspected, obtain and document serum levels.

As with most surgical patients, appropriate preoperative laboratory tests (eg, complete blood count, metabolic panels, activated partial thromboplastin time) and an international normalized ratio level are necessary. Obtain a pregnancy test when warranted.

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Imaging Studies

Radiographs can be used for soft tissue but are limited by the lack of ability to detect differences in tissue density of less than 10%, making evaluation of soft tissue difficult at best. Anteroposterior views of the orbit usually are obtained with varying angulation of the x-ray beam vector.

The most common views are the Caldwell and Waters projections. The Caldwell projection allows for visualization of the orbital floor and orbital zygomatic process above the dense petrous pyramids. A more extended view of the orbit is afforded by the Waters projection. This angle of x-ray trajectory places the petrous pyramids below the maxillary sinus, allowing evaluation of the orbital floor, prolapsed orbital contents, and air-fluid levels in the maxillary sinus. Ng et al found a poor correlation between soft tissue opacities below the inferior orbital rim and inferior rectus muscle entrapment with a Waters view.

Lateral views often are confusing because of overlapping anatomic structures and offer little in the assessment of floor fractures.

CT scanning has supplanted radiographs in evaluation of midfacial trauma (see images below).

Coronal CT scan showing orbital floor fracture posCoronal CT scan showing orbital floor fracture posterior to the globe. A fracture of the lateral maxillary sinus wall also is present. Coronal CT scan showing posterior extension of floCoronal CT scan showing posterior extension of floor fracture.

A gray-scale image is created based on various soft tissue linear coefficients that are assigned a particular shade of gray. Direct axial, coronal, or sagittal images can be obtained with proper positioning of the patient. CT scanning without contrast provides views of high-density bone. Obtain both axial and direct coronal 1.5- to 2.0-mm cuts to properly evaluate the orbit and the floor. If the patient cannot be manipulated into proper position for direct coronal images, coronal views also may be obtained indirectly by reformatting thin axial windows. However, direct coronal images are preferable. Coronal orbital views provide bony and soft tissue windows, allowing for excellent detail of orbital floor fractures, adjacent sinuses, and soft tissue entrapment (see image below).

Coronal CT scan (soft tissue window) showing rightCoronal CT scan (soft tissue window) showing right orbital floor fracture, vertical elongation of right orbit, reduction in size of right maxillary sinus, and soft tissue swelling of the right maxillary sinus mucosa.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and the activity of hydrogen atoms within this field to produce detailed images of the orbit. MRI enables multiplanar imaging and is excellent for evaluating soft tissue masses and optic nerve pathology.

Even though MRI provides exquisite detail of the orbital region, CT scanning remains the imaging of choice for evaluation of orbital trauma. Of note, intraocular ferromagnetic foreign bodies can add additional insult to the eye and surrounding structures secondary to the magnetic field of the MRI.

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Other Tests

An ECG also may be indicated.

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Diagnostic Procedures

If the CT scan is equivocal when evaluating a patient with presumed entrapment, forced ductions can be performed. Directly assessing the ability or inability to further supraduct or infraduct the eye can yield important clinical confirmation of an entrapped muscle or tissue or of a paretic muscle.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Adam J Cohen, MD  Eyelid and Facial Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Orbit and Lacrimal System, Cosmetic Laser Surgery

Adam J Cohen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michael Mercandetti, MD, MBA, FACS  Consulting Staff, Department of Surgery, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota

Michael Mercandetti, MD, MBA, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, and Sarasota County Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James F Thornton  MD, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

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

Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS  Consulting Staff, Private Practice

Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons

Disclosure: Allergan None Speaking and teaching; LifeCell None Consulting; GID, Inc. Grant/research funds Other

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD  Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS  Associate Professor of Surgery (Plastic), Yale University School of Medicine; Chief of Plastic Surgery, West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Indian Medical Association, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and Royal College of Surgeons of England

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Smith B, Regan WF Jr. Blow-out fracture of the orbit; mechanism and correction of internal orbital fracture. Am J Ophthalmol. Dec 1957;44(6):733-9. [Medline].

  3. Patel BC, Hoffmann J. Management of complex orbital fractures. Facial Plast Surg. 1998;14(1):83-104. [Medline].

  4. Wilkins RB, Havins WE. Current treatment of blow-out fractures. Ophthalmology. May 1982;89(5):464-6. [Medline].

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

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  17. Kelly CP, Cohen AJ, Yavuzer R, Jackson IT. Cranial bone grafting for orbital reconstruction: is it still the best?. J Craniofac Surg. Jan 2005;16(1):181-5. [Medline].

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  19. Metzger MC, Schon R, Weyer N. Anatomical 3-dimensional Pre-bent Titanium Implant for Orbital Floor Fractures. Ophthalmology. Jul 25 2006;[Medline].

  20. Rowe-Jones JM, Adam EJ, Moore-Gillon V. Subtle diagnostic markers of orbital floor blow-out fracture on coronal CT scan. J Laryngol Otol. Feb 1993;107(2):161-2. [Medline].

  21. Tessier P. The conjunctival approach to the orbital floor and maxilla in congenital malformation and trauma. J Maxillofac Surg. Mar 1973;1(1):3-8. [Medline].

  22. Yab K, Tajima S, Ohba S. Displacements of eyeball in orbital blowout fractures. Plast Reconstr Surg. Nov 1997;100(6):1409-17. [Medline].

 
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Coronal CT scan (soft tissue window) showing right orbital floor fracture, vertical elongation of right orbit, reduction in size of right maxillary sinus, and soft tissue swelling of the right maxillary sinus mucosa.
Coronal CT scan showing orbital floor fracture posterior to the globe. A fracture of the lateral maxillary sinus wall also is present.
Coronal CT scan showing posterior extension of floor fracture.
Operative photo of fracture repair via transconjunctival approach.
The bones that contribute to the structure of the orbit.
 
 
 
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