Truamatic ophthalmoplegia: a complication of fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex. Review of etiology with report of an unusual case.

Ocular muscle imbalance is a common complication in fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex. Involvement can be direct; caused by entrapment of either the muscle or tendon in the fracture; or indirect, produced by central or peripheral damage to the cranial nerves supplying the muscles, massive orbital edema or hemorrhage. A case of complete paralysis of the extraocular muscles caused by a critical reduction of the size of the orbit as a result of fracture of the zygomaticomaxillary complex is described.