[Echographic diagnosis of orbital floor fractures]

In this study symptoms of fractures of the orbital floor are described. The problems of diagnosis by x-ray are demonstrated. There is no evidence of bony fractures in many cases in standard x-ray pictures. Diagnosis of fractures of the orbital floor is established in most patients by polytomography. This method, however, implicates the disadvantage of high radiation exposure. Experimental studies have shown that fractures of a width of at least 1 mm. and bony fragments greater than 1 X 1 mm. can be visualized in the B-scan. All 62 cases of fractures of the orbital floor found intraoperatively had been diagnosed by ultrasound before surgery.