Visual recovery after evacuation of orbital emphysema

Abstract

Orbital emphysema due to orbital trauma is a well-known occurrence. Visual loss due to orbital emphysema, however, is an uncommon phenomenon. A case of unilateral orbital emphysema following door-handle trauma with subsequent proptosis, painful ophthalmoplegia and compressive optic neuropathy resulting in compromised vision is presented in an 8-year-old male child. Conservative management, including intravenous corticosteroids, failed to resolve the patient's symptoms and compressive optic neuropathy. Surgical intervention to evacuate orbital emphysema resulted in prompt resolution of symptoms, including recovery of vision. A review of the medical literature revealed that only few isolated cases of orbital emphysema with compressive optic neuropathy have been reported previously, with no reports due to door-handle trauma.