A case of retained wooden foreign body in orbit

A 41-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of esodeviation of the right eye. He had been operated on for corneal laceration 3 years before. One month later, exodeviation of the right eye had developed. The result of computed tomography (CT) was reported as orbital abscess and cellulitis. Although antibiotic treatment was administered for 2 weeks, the exodeviation didn't improve. On ocular examinations performed in our hospital in November-2001, his right eye was esotropic and had a relative afferent pupillary defect. Vision of the right eye was decreased to 0.02. Fundus examination showed optic atrophy. A new CT scan disclosed a foreign body introduced into the right medial orbital wall, nasal cavity and ethmoidal sinus. Although foreign body was surgically removed, vision and eye movement were not improved. In the case of a patient who has undergone orbital trauma, complete history taking and physical examinations must be performed. On suspicion of a foreign body, imaging study such as CT or MRI must be performed. However, because CT findings can be variable, careful follow-up is needed.