Isolated lesion of the medial orbital wall following endonasal surgery. Isolated fractures of the medial orbital wall

Abstract

Background: Isolated fractures of the medial orbital wall are infrequent. The diagnostic triad includes: adduction block, exotropia with diplopia in all directions of gaze, positive passive duction in abduction. Sometimes a slight enophthalmos is present. Computed tomography shows the extension and the seat of the fracture.

Case report: The authors illustrate the case of a 60 year old male who presented with a breach of the medial orbital wall following endonasal surgery.

Results: The patient was successfully operated using an iliac bone graft inserted via an eyebrow-nasal cutaneous approach, after a previous attempt with a transconjunctival approach performed in another hospital had failed. A good functional and aesthetic result was observed within the first year after surgery. After almost 11 years a full adduction is still present and diplopia is absent.

Conclusion: The authors underline the importance of an early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment. The fat-muscle entrapment should be removed and the bone defect closed. A close cooperation between ophthalmologist and plastic surgeon is suggested.