Management of orbital-cranial trauma

Adv Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 1987:7:3-26.

Abstract

Orbital-cranial injuries have the greatest potential for death and disability of any condition treated by the ophthalmologist. An object that penetrates through the orbit into the brain may leave only a small entrance wound. Patients can have normal vision, neurologic exam, and plain x-rays despite trauma that may lead to meningitis, brain abscess, or pneumocephalus. The CT scan greatly aids in both the early and late management of blunt and penetrating orbital-cranial trauma. The detection of pneumocephalus may be the only clue that intracranial penetration has occurred. Blunt trauma can cause vision loss, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, and intracranial injury. Management of orbital-cranial trauma frequently requires a team approach by the ophthalmologist and neurosurgeon due to the complexity of these injuries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Eye Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Eye Injuries / therapy
  • Foreign Bodies / complications
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies / therapy
  • Humans
  • Orbit / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbit / injuries*
  • Orbital Fractures* / diagnosis
  • Orbital Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Fractures* / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Skull Fractures* / diagnosis
  • Skull Fractures* / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Fractures* / pathology
  • Wound Infection / prevention & control
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / pathology
  • Wounds, Penetrating / complications
  • Wounds, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Penetrating / pathology