[Foreign body removal from the orbit and skull base]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurosurgery
• Maxillofacial Surgery

Context:

• Foreign body injuries to the orbit, skull base, and skull are infrequent, often reported via case studies.
• This study details the experience and treatment of ten patients managed over three years for such injuries.

Purpose:

• To present a treatment regimen for rare foreign body injuries involving the orbit and skull base.
• To highlight diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Summary:

• Ten patients with orbital and/or skull base foreign bodies were treated; seven involved the orbit alone, three involved both orbit and frontal base.
• Complete removal was achieved in most cases. Vision loss occurred in three patients, and one developed a psychosyndrome; six had no late effects.
• Recommended diagnostic tools include CT, sonography, and MRI, with photography for functional deficit documentation. Immediate removal, high-dose antibiotics, and intensive monitoring are advised for intracranial lesions.

Impact:

• Establishes the importance of interdisciplinary teams (ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, maxillofacial surgeons) for managing complex orbital and skull base foreign body injuries.
• Underscores the need for prompt diagnosis and intervention to minimize functional deficits, including vision loss.
• Provides a framework for treatment, emphasizing imaging modalities, surgical removal, and post-operative care to improve patient outcomes.