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Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Orbital Fractures
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Mediastinal emphysema following fracture of the orbital floor

Husham Abdelrahman1, Adam Shunni2, Ayman El-Menyar3

  • 1Trauma Surgery Section, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar traumaresearch@hmc.org.qa.

Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|May 31, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pneumomediastinum, a rare complication of orbital floor fractures, can lead to serious issues like airway obstruction. This case highlights the unusual association between orbital fractures and mediastinal emphysema.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Pneumomediastinum (PM) is typically associated with thoracic or neck trauma.
  • Isolated orbital floor fractures rarely cause PM.

Observation:

  • This report details an atypical case of mediastinal emphysema resulting from an isolated orbital floor fracture.
  • The patient's presentation was unusual, linking a facial injury to a thoracic complication.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a rare instance of PM secondary to an orbital floor fracture.
  • Such occurrences, though infrequent, carry risks of severe complications including mediastinitis, airway obstruction, and pneumothorax.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering PM in patients with orbital fractures, even without obvious thoracic injury.
  • Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding potential severe complications in these rare cases.
  • Contributes to the literature on unusual presentations of orbital trauma.

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