How helical CT helps the surgeon in oculo-orbital trauma

Whether isolated or associated with craniofacial lesions, traumatic oculo-orbital injuries occur frequently. Radiological evaluation is often necessary to appropriately manage the trauma-related vision loss and oculomotor disturbance. In the emergency setting and after clinical examination, helical CT scanning is the optimal imaging technique for displaying injuries of the orbit and its contents, for determining their severity and for helping the surgeon to choose the best course of treatment. MRI is indicated if the cause of the loss of vision or ocular mobility remain unexplained on CT after ferromagnetic foreign body has been ruled out. Drawing from numerous clinical cases, the purpose of this pictorial review is to demonstrate the wide variety of traumatic lesions of the orbit and eyeball as revealed by helical CT, as well as the limitations of the technique, to provide relevant information for patient care. Helical CT scans remain, in cases of emergency, the optimal imaging technique for the evaluation of oculo-orbital trauma.