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An Unusual Case of a Post-Traumatic Retained Periorbital Foreign Body in a Child
Mohmad Zulhisham1, Ismail Shatriah1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, MYS.
Insights
A retained pen tip in a child
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Trauma
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Periorbital trauma is frequent in pediatric patients.
- Missed foreign bodies can result from inadequate assessment.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial.
Observation:
- A four-year-old boy presented with left upper eyelid swelling and a forehead scar.
- Symptoms persisted for two months after the initial trauma.
- Imaging revealed a retained foreign body.
Findings:
- Surgical removal of a pen tip foreign body from the eyelid was successful.
- The child experienced a good post-operative recovery.
- Early detection prevented potential complications.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of thorough evaluation in pediatric periorbital trauma.
- Underscores the utility of imaging in diagnosing retained foreign bodies.
- Emphasizes the risk of complications like orbital cellulitis if foreign bodies are missed.
Abstract:
Trauma to the periorbital region is common in children. Foreign bodies in traumatic cases may be missed where history, examination, and investigation are inadequate. Here, we report the case of a four-year-old boy who presented with a small forehead scar and left upper lid swelling two months post-trauma. Imaging showed a retained foreign body, and a pen tip was successfully removed surgically from the lid. The child recovered well post-operatively. Complications such as orbital cellulitis may arise if the foreign body remained undetected.
