Closed head injury combined with orbital blowout fracture and displacement of the eyeball into the maxillary sinus in a 14-year-old boy: a case report

TL;DR

A 14-year-old boy suffered a rare injury where his eyeball was displaced into the maxillary sinus after a car accident and was successfully treated with a single surgery.

Contribution

The case provides novel insights into the mechanisms of orbital blowout fractures and postoperative complications.

Findings

A single transconjunctival surgery successfully repositioned the displaced eyeball and reconstructed the orbit.

At 12 months post-surgery, the patient had 20/200 visual acuity and was satisfied with the ocular appearance.

The case highlights the occurrence of optic nerve atrophy and limited eye movement as postoperative complications.

Abstract

Trauma-induced orbital blowout fracture (OBF) with eyeball displacement into the maxillary sinus is rare.

We present the case of a 14-year-old with a closed head injury, OBF, and displacement of the eyeball into the maxillary sinus following a car accident. A prompt transconjunctival access surgery was performed for eyeball repositioning and orbital reconstruction in a single session, mitigating anaesthesia-related risks associated with multiple surgeries. At the 12-month follow-up, his visual acuity was 20/200. Despite limited eye movement and optic nerve atrophy, overall satisfaction with the ocular appearance was achieved.

This report offers novel insights into the mechanisms of OBF occurrence and the development of postoperative complications.

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