Do Not Fall for This; Diagnostic Challenges in Orbital Floor Fractures With Extraocular Muscle Entrapment

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Emergency Medicine
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Orbital fractures can lead to extraocular muscle entrapment, necessitating prompt surgical intervention.
• Diagnosis of muscle entrapment can be challenging due to subtle clinical presentations or mimicry of other conditions.

Observation:

• Two cases of delayed diagnosis of extraocular muscle entrapment following orbital fractures are presented.
• The diagnostic difficulties encountered in these cases are discussed.

Findings:

• Extraocular muscle entrapment requires emergent surgical treatment.
• Subtle findings and mimicry of other conditions contribute to diagnostic delays.

Implications:

• Increased physician awareness and comfort in identifying muscle entrapment in the emergency department are crucial.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of muscle entrapment can prevent complications and improve patient outcomes.