Isolated lesion of the medial orbital wall following endonasal surgery. Isolated fractures of the medial orbital wall.

BACKGROUND

Isolated fractures of the medial orbital wall are infrequent. The diagnostic triad includes: adduction block, exotropia with diplopia in all directions of gaze, positive passive duction in abduction. Sometimes a slight enophthalmos is present. Computed tomography shows the extension and the seat of the fracture.

CASE REPORT

The authors illustrate the case of a 60 year old male who presented with a breach of the medial orbital wall following endonasal surgery.

RESULTS

The patient was successfully operated using an iliac bone graft inserted via an eyebrow-nasal cutaneous approach, after a previous attempt with a transconjunctival approach performed in another hospital had failed. A good functional and aesthetic result was observed within the first year after surgery. After almost 11 years a full adduction is still present and diplopia is absent.

CONCLUSION

The authors underline the importance of an early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment. The fat-muscle entrapment should be removed and the bone defect closed. A close cooperation between ophthalmologist and plastic surgeon is suggested.