Imaging of the post-operative orbit and associated complications

Dedicated post-operative radiological evaluation following ophthalmologic procedures is relatively uncommon. However, given the ever-growing ophthalmologic procedural advancements and the increasing utilization of neuroimaging for myriad indications, the orbits are often imaged incidentally in a delayed post-procedural state. Regardless of the clinical scenario, it is important for neuroradiologists and other specialists commonly exposed to orbital imaging to be aware of both expected and abnormal post-operative imaging findings because misinterpreted normal features or unrecognized complications can result in vision-threatening delays in treatment or mismanagement. In this review article, we discuss many common ophthalmologic procedures, their indications, and most likely complications. We also provide illustrative operative photographs and radiological imaging examples. By understanding the surgical intent, recognizing the devices that are commonly used, and developing familiarity with the appearance of post-operative complications, pitfalls in interpretation can be avoided and patient outcomes ultimately improved.     

Orbital floor restoration with traction of the infraorbital nerve using a vessel loop in posterior orbital floor fractures

BackgroundThe authors retracted the infraorbital nerve (ION) using a vessel loop to explore the orbital floor fracture site and analysed when the traction of the ION was needed.MethodsIn ninety-one patients, the location of the fracture according to its position relative to the infraorbital groove, the location of the infraorbital groove from the midpoint of the orbital floor, and involvement of the ION in the fracture site were recorded retrospectively from computed tomography scans. An analysis of any associations between the traction of ION and the location of the fracture and ION passage was performed.ResultsTraction of the ION was performed in 14 cases, of which 10 cases had involvement of the ION in the fracture site and 4 cases did not. All of them were posterior fractures. In 51 cases with posterior fractures, the ION passage in patients who had ION traction was statistically located more medially (0.50 ± 1.19 mm) than in patients who had no traction (2.38 ± 1.12 mm) (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe ION may interfere with the exposure of the fracture site in a posterior orbital floor fracture with the involvement of the ION in the fracture site and a medially located ION passage.     

Success of day-case treatment of zygomatic and orbital fractures

Traditionally, surgical management of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) and orbital fractures occurs within two to three weeks of the injury, followed by an overnight admission to allow for extended eye observations. This is due to the risk of postoperative retrobulbar haemorrhage (RBH) or orbital compartment syndrome (OCS), a rapidly progressive and sight threatening emergency that requires immediate intervention. In September 2016 the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals redesigned their trauma service with a full-time trauma consultant, a dedicated clinic, and a weekly morning elective trauma theatre list. This allowed for standardisation of the management of patients with OMFS injuries. Furthermore, a formal day-case ZMC and orbital fracture pathway was developed to allow patients to undergo surgical management of such fractures with a same-day discharge. This has since been identified as an area of excellence by the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, and is in line with the addition of ZMC and orbital fractures to the procedural list written by the British Association of Day Case Surgery (BADS). Unbeknown to the unit, the volume of day-case procedures was the highest within the UK, demonstrating the importance of GIRFT in highlighting areas of good or unique practice. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of our day-case pathway and designated OMFS trauma service on compliance with recent recommendations by GIRFT and BADS. Secondly, it was to determine the safety of same-day discharge with regards to postoperative complications.     

Do orbital floor plates adequately protect against serious secondary injury?

Reconstruction of the orbital floor is common in cases of trauma and a variety of alloplastic materials, including titanium, can be used. However, we know of no reports about what happens to these materials if there is a second injury to the surgical site. This pilot study on six human cadavers (12 orbits) was therefore designed to investigate the possible outcomes should this occur. A “blowout fracture” was created in each orbit, which was then repaired using a preformed titanium implant. In two orbits, two implants were placed without fixation. The remaining implants were secured to the anterior orbital floor with a single screw, which was placed laterally or medially. A second impact sufficient to fracture the zygomaticomaxillary complex was then applied and its effect on the implants noted.     

Lamina papyracea position in patients with nasal polypi: A computed tomography analysis

Objective

This study aimed to describe the positions of the lamina papyracea (LP) in patients who had nasal polypi, by computed tomography (CT) analysis.

Recurrent unicystic maxillary ameloblastoma presenting as unilateral proptosis

Unicystic Ameloblastoma (UA) is a rare variant of ameloblastoma which is an odontogenic epithelial neoplasm, typically affecting mandibular ramus. Maxillary ameloblastoma is a rare entity with a more disastrous consequence. Although extremely rare, their highly recurrent and locally aggressive behavior can lead to invasion of vital structures surrounding maxilla (orbit, cranium) even after several years of conservative surgical management (limited resection, curettage). We report a case of 16-year-old girl presenting with proptosis of left eye, UA left maxilla, who was treated initially with limited resection (enucleation) and curettage and the lesion recurred after two years with a more aggressive behavior, causing destruction floor of orbit. To this date there are only 23 documented cases of orbital invasion and only three of the reports are in ophthalmic literature. The ophthalmologists need to be aware of this type of rare lesion presenting as proptosis.     

Unusual case of traumatic neuroma of the orbit

Traumatic or amputation neuromas are neoformations developing after damage to a peripheral nerve. They are not proper tumors but rather a reactive process or a frustrated attempt of nerve regeneration. Traumatic neuromas are potentially found in every sensory peripheral nerve and often at the site of past surgical intervention, including orbital surgery. A 29-year-old Northern African migrant presented progressive exophthalmos and progressive loss of acuity in left eye, which had started about 6 months before after a cranio-facial trauma caused by a violent assault. MRI of the orbits showed a massive intra-orbital, intra-conical lesion, clearly compressing and dislocating the optic nerve and extending posteriorly to the orbital apex. Surgery was performed through lateral approach of Kroenlein and led to complete excision of the lesion. Histology revealed fibrotic, adipose and striated muscle tissues, a disordered, non-neoplastic overgrowth of small and large fascicles of nerves, inflammatory infiltrates, and fibrosis with sparse calcifications were diffusely observed in a background of fat, scar and striated muscle tissued. Patient was discharged on the fifth day in good health condition, without deficit of eye motion but without recovery of visual acuity. In conclusion, this case demonstrates that traumatic neuromas may arise in the orbit in patients with minor direct trauma to nerves and without previous surgical treatment.     

眼科首诊的鼻腔鼻窦疾病临床分析

目的 提高鼻眼相关疾病的诊断水平.方法 对35例眼科首诊的鼻科疾病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 35例患者经眼眶、鼻窦CT及鼻内镜检查确诊均为鼻科疾病.结论 鼻窦与眼眶关系密切是鼻眼相关疾病的解剖基础,CT扫描有助于对此区域病变的早期诊断,眼科医师在排除患者眼科疾病的情况下,及时认识到这一点,从而避免了漏诊和误诊.     

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis associated with an orbital pseudotumor

We report a case of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (IHCP) associated with an orbital pseudotumor and granulocytic thyroiditis of unknown origin. The patient suffered from progressive and finally complete loss of visual acuity, as well as from multiple cranial nerve dysfunctions. Medical treatment and radiation therapy were not beneficial. As reported in the literature, the CT and MRI findings of IHCP were non-specific; thus, diagnosis had to be made by exclusion and open biopsy was required. An inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit is rarely found in patients with IHCP. Thyroiditis has not yet been reported in the context of IHCP. The patient also suffered from anosmia, which is an unusual feature of IHCP. Received: 12 May 1998; Revision received: 5 October 1998; Accepted: 4 November 1998