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CT of orbital trauma
Huey-Jen Lee1, Mohamed Jilani, Larry Frohman
1Department of Radiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, University Hospital, 150 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
Emergency Radiology
|August 4, 2004
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for evaluating orbital trauma, identifying causes of vision loss and impaired eye movement. Orbital CT effectively reveals abnormalities, guiding treatment for patients with acute eye injuries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Radiology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Acute orbital trauma necessitates emergent evaluation of visual acuity and extraocular muscle motility.
- Assessment can be challenging due to head injury severity, edema, patient cooperation, or consciousness level.
- Computed tomography (CT) plays a vital role in orbital examination for acute trauma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of causes for decreased visual acuity and extraocular muscle motility in orbital trauma using CT.
- To correlate clinical findings with orbital CT imaging in trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of head trauma patients undergoing CT at an emergency facility.
- Orbital CT was performed for patients with periorbital edema or facial bone fractures.
- Imaging findings were correlated with ophthalmologic observations.
Main Results:
- Orbit floor fractures were most common; orbital roof fractures were least common.
- Top causes of decreased visual acuity: retrobulbar hemorrhage, optic nerve thickening, intraorbital emphysema.
- Most common cause of diminished motility: muscle impingement by fracture fragments, followed by edema/contusion.
Conclusions:
- Orbital CT demonstrates abnormalities in the majority of patients with decreased visual acuity or motility due to trauma.
- CT is essential for evaluating intraorbital contents in acute orbital trauma cases.
- CT aids in diagnosing and managing vision-threatening injuries from orbital trauma.