[Traumatic superior orbital fissure syndrome: report of 4 cases and review of literature].

PURPOSE

The authors retrospectively analyzed four cases of posttraumatic superior orbital fissure syndrome and reviewed the literature.

METHOD

Four patients (three male and one female) were followed for this complication in the department from october 1995 to december 1996.

RESULTS

The mean age was 31 years, the median follow-up was 8 month. Computed tomography showed involvement of the superior orbital fissure but no in three patients, in the fourth. The treatment consisted of osteosynthesis of craniofacial fracture in three patients and corticosteroid therapy in the last one. All patients presented partial recuperation of external ophthalmoplegia and ptosis. Twelve months after the traumatism, one patient underwent surgery for persistant ptosis and diplopia.

CONCLUSION

The superior orbital fissure syndrome is an exceptional complication of orbital traumas. Partial recuperation of the neuro-ophthalmologic function usually occurs within a period of several months.