Medial Orbital Floor Research Articles

Eyeing risks: Navigating ophthalmic challenges in sinus surgery

This is a descriptive case report of a 25-year-old male who presented with right eye diminution of vision associated with ophthalmoplegia and strabismus following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for deviated nasal septum. On examination, he had a large angle right exotropia with enophthalmos and restricted extra ocular movements. Pupils were dilated and fixed suggestive of optic neuropathy and fundus revealed a central retinal artery occlusion. Multimodal radiological imaging revealed optic nerve sheath hematoma, fracture of medial orbital wall and orbital floor along with medial rectus disinsertion with posterior discontinuation. Due to delayed presentation at our clinic, he was managed conservatively with intravenous and oral corticosteroids. The patient displayed mild improvement in ocular movement and vision. He was advised orbital reconstruction of the medial wall and floor for enophthalmos correction and cosmesis. Although a relatively safe procedure, FESS can result into varied orbital complications, including damage to the extraocular muscles, optic nerve and its vascular supply. This case report, to the best of our knowledge is the first of its kind to document ophthalmoplegia due to medial rectus disinsertion along with central retinal artery occlusion. It also highlights the perioperative risk factors and provides insight into the intraoperative signs to be cautious of during sinus surgeries

The Usefulness of the Navigation System to Reconstruct Orbital Wall Fractures Involving Inferomedial Orbital Strut.

Little attention has been paid to combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures with the involvement of the inferomedial orbital strut. Managing this particular fracture can prove challenging. However, various innovative techniques have been introduced to assist with the process. Our study focuses on sharing our approach to orbital wall reconstruction using navigation guidance and titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene plates, specifically cases involving the inferomedial orbital strut. We believe that implementing a navigation system can effectively lead surgeons to the fracture site with utmost safety. Also, we hypothesized that this navigation system is beneficial to use singe fan titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene plates with orbital wall fractures involving IOS while minimizing possible complications. We retrospectively reviewed 131 patients with medial orbital wall and orbital floor fractures with or without combined other facial bone fractures who underwent orbital wall reconstruction by a single surgeon from May 2021 to May 2023. Amongst, we identified fourteen orbital wall fractures involving the inferomedial orbital strut. We used a subciliary incision as the only approach method for performing titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene plates for navigation-guided orbital wall reconstruction. Patients were followed up for at least three months. All cases were effectively resolved using titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene plates. There were no complications during the patient's complete recovery, confirmed clinically and radiologically. Based on the serial CT results, it was discovered that implanted titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene plates successfully covered the defect. Based on our retrospective analysis, it has been determined that among the 131 recorded cases of orbital fractures, 14 of them (or 10.7%) involved the inferomedial orbital strut. Navigation-guided reduction using titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene (TR-PPE) plates can lead to predictable, reliable, and excellent outcomes for treating orbital fractures involving the inferomedial orbital strut without complications.

Ocular Involvement of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly referred to as Wegener’s disease, is a form of ANCA-associated vasculitis. It manifests mainly in the kidneys and the upper respiratory tract, but ocular involvement is not uncommon. In this article, four cases with ocular manifestations are presented with comprehensive photographic documentation. We describe the way to proper diagnosis, which may be long, the possible treatment, and the final outcomes. Our patients had the following ocular manifestations of GPA: retinal vasculitis, anterior necrotizing scleritis, medial orbital wall and orbital floor erosion with middle face deformation, compressive optic neuropathy due to retrobulbar inflammatory mass, and the abscess of the eyelids, inflammatory intraorbital mass causing exophthalmos and diplopia. This manuscript includes the description of severe forms of GPA, the initial signs and symptoms, relapses, and difficulties in achieving remission. The extraocular involvement is described with diagnostic modalities and laboratory findings. One of the reported cases was diagnosed by an ophthalmologist on the basis of ocular symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Our outcomes are compared with those discussed in the literature.

Mapping the Posterior Ledge and Optic Foramen in Orbital Floor Blowout Fractures.

Background The posterior ledge (PL) is a vital structure that supports the implant posteriorly during orbital floor reconstruction. This study describes a technique for mapping the PL in relation to the infraorbital margin (IM) in patients with orbital floor blowout fractures. This study establishes the location of the optic foramen in relation to the PL. Methods Facial computed tomography (FCT) scans of 67 consecutive patients with isolated orbital floor blowout fractures were analyzed using Osirix. Planes of reference for orbital fractures, a standardized technique for performing measurements on FCT, was used. Viewed coronally, the orbit was divided into seven equal sagittal slices (L1 laterally to L7 medially) with reference to the midorbital plane. The distances of PL from IM and location of optic foramen were determined. Results The greatest distance to PL is found at L5 (median: 30.1 mm, range: 13.5-37.1 mm). The median and ranges for each slice are as follows: L1 (median: 0.0 mm, range: 0.0-19.9 mm), L2 (median: 0.0 mm, range: 0.0-21.5 mm), L3 (median: 15.8 mm, range: 0.0-31.7 mm), L4 (median: 26.1 mm, range: 0.0-34.0 mm), L5 (median: 30.1 mm, range: 13.5-37.1 mm), L6 (median: 29.0 mm, range: 0.0-36.3 mm), L7 (median: 20.8 mm, range: 0.0-39.2 mm). The median distance of the optic foramen from IM is 43.7 mm (range: 37.0- 49.1) at L7. Conclusion Distance to PL from IM increases medially until the L5 before decreasing. A reference map of the PL in relation to the IM and optic foramen is generated. The optic foramen is located in close proximity to the PL at the medial orbital floor. This aids in preoperative planning and intraoperative dissection.

Residual Apical Lamina Papyracea as a Cause for Persistent Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy After Orbital Decompression.

Two patients had persistent compressive dysthyroid optic neuropathy after decompression of the medial orbital wall and floor. In both cases, there was ~3 mm of unresected lamina papyracea anterior to the Annulus of Zinn, and removal of this residual bone led to resolution of the neuropathy. These illustrative cases suggest that, in some patients, even small amounts of residual crowding at the orbital apex can critically embarrass optic nerve perfusion, with resulting continued ischemic optic neuropathy.

Reconstruction of Two Wall Orbital Fractures: Experience With the 3D Titan Implant and Intraoperative Computed Tomography

Background: Orbital fractures are common in maxillofacial trauma and have varying anatomical deficits depending on the mechanism of injury. Orbital floor fractures are most common, but many patients suffer from two wall-floor and medial wall defects. Precise reconstruction and positioning of the orbital implant post traumatic injury can be technically challenging, especially in two wall fractures. We present our experience using the 3D Titan implant on a series of 7 patients with combined medial wall and orbital floor fractures. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with combined medial wall and orbital floor fractures treated with 3D Titan between February 2016 and June 2020. The inclusion criteria were unilateral combined medial and orbital floor fractures due to traumatic etiologies, no previous history of orbital trauma, age older than 18 years, a contralateral healthy orbit, and a clinical follow-up of at least 1 month. Variables and outcomes included patient age, gender, mechanism of injury, visual defects, post-op infections, enophthalmos, proptosis, and diplopia. An O-arm intraoperative CT scanner was used to verify the implant position. Results: Ten patients presented with combined medial wall and orbital floor fractures, 3 were lost to follow-up. There were 6 men and 1 woman, and their ages ranged from 24 to 57 (mean age 38). Follow-up time ranged from 4 to 52 weeks, and a mean of 20 weeks. None of the patients experienced intraoperative complications such as hemorrhage, soft tissue incarceration, or acute optic neuropathy. No patients had postoperative infection or any change in visual acuity. All patients had satisfactory implant positioning as verified by intraoperative CT. Conclusions: The prefabricated design of the 3D Titan along with use of intraoperative CT guidance allows for efficient and precise reconstruction of combined medial wall and orbital floor fractures.

Ethnic variation in medial orbital wall anatomy and its implications for decompression surgery

BackgroundTo describe the inter-ethnic variation in medial orbital wall anatomy between Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian subjects.MethodsSingle-centre, retrospective, Computed Tomography (CT)-based observational study. 20 subjects of each ethnicity, were matched for gender and laterality. We excluded subjects younger than 16 years and those with orbital pathology. OsiriX version 8.5.1 (Pixmeo., Switzerland) and DICOM image viewing software CARESTREAM Vue PACS (Carestream Health Inc., USA) were used to measure the ethmoidal sinus length, width and volume, medial orbital wall and floor angle and the relative position of the posterior ethmoid sinus to the posterior maxillary wall. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (IBM, USA).ResultsThere were 12 males (60 %) in each group, with no significant difference in age (p = 0.334–0.994). The mean ethmoid sinus length in Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian subjects, using the Chinese as reference, were 37.2, 36.9, 38.0 and 37.4mm, the mean width was 11.6, 10.5, 11.4 and 10.0mm (p = 0.020) and the mean ethmoid sinus volume were 3362, 3652, 3349 and 3898mm3 respectively. The mean medial orbital wall and floor angle was 135.0, 131.4, 131.0 and 136.8 degrees and the mean relative position of posterior ethmoid sinus to posterior maxillary wall were − 2.0, -0.2, -1.5 and 1.6mm (p = 0.003) respectively.ConclusionsNo inter-ethnic variation was found in decompressible ethmoid sinus volume. Caucasians had their posterior maxillary sinus wall anterior to their posterior ethmoidal walls unlike the Chinese, Malay and Indians. Awareness of ethnic variation is essential for safe orbital decompression.

Endoscopic Orbital Decompression: Technical Pearls and Pitfalls of an Evolving Technique.

First described in the early 1990s, endoscopic orbital decompression has become increasingly popular and has been shown to be a safe and effective approach for surgical decompression of the medial and inferior orbit. We present our preferred technique for performing an endoscopic orbital decompression, highlighting key pearls and pitfalls. An endoscopic wide maxillary antrostomy and sphenoethmoidectomy is performed in standard fashion. We prefer to resect the middle turbinate for optimal exposure and access. The medial orbital wall is skeletonized and the lamina papyracea is carefully elevated, preserving the underlying periorbita. The orbital floor medial to the infraorbital nerve is resected. Once the periorbita is fully exposed, parallel axial incisions along the medial orbit and orbital floor are made from posterior to anterior using a sickle knife, taking care not to bury the tip to avoid injuring underlying orbital contents. The remaining fibrous bands are incised and prolapse of orbital fat is observed. Post extubation bag mask ventilation is limited to avoid subcutaneous emphysema. Compared to open techniques, endoscopic orbital decompression provides superior visualization of critical anatomical landmarks, assures healthy sinus functioning post procedure, offers a lower complication rate, and avoids external incisions.

Spontaneous orbital decompression in thyroid eye disease: new measurement methods and its influential factors.

To evaluate spontaneous decompression of the medial orbital wall and orbital floor in thyroid eye disease using new measurement methods and to analyze the influential factors. This retrospective study included 86 patients (172 sides). Regarding evaluation of spontaneous medial orbital decompression, an anteroposterior line was drawn between the posterior lacrimal crest and the junction between the ethmoid bone and corpus ossis sphenoidalis. The bulged and/or dented areas from that line were measured. Regarding evaluation of spontaneous orbital floor decompression, the length of the perpendicular distance from a line that was drawn between the inferior orbital rim and the orbital process of palatal bone to the tip of the superior bulge of the orbital floor was measured. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the maximum cross-sectional areas of the superior rectus/levator palpebrae superioris complex (P = 0.020) and medial rectus muscle (P = 0.028) were influential factors for spontaneous decompression of medial orbital wall (adjusted r2 = 0.090; P < 0.001), whereas the number of cycles of steroid pulse therapy (P = 0.002) and the maximum cross-sectional area of the inferior rectus muscle (P = 0.007) were the ones for that of the orbital floor (adjusted r2 = 0.096; P < 0.001). We believe that the identification of multiple influential factors of spontaneous decompression of the medial orbital wall and orbital floor will be helpful for better understanding and planned management of thyroid eye disease patients undergoing orbital decompression surgery.

Proper Imaging Modality in Medial Orbital Wall and Blowout Fracture

A 27-year-old man was first seen 4 weeks after his right eye being accidently hit by branches of tree. He complained of diplopia which was significant on the right gaze. There were partial thickness superior and inferior eyelid rupture and full thickness superior eyelid margin laceration (which got repaired), hematoma, and swelling of the right eye. Orbital x-ray demonstrated no abnormality. However, orbital CT Scan was eventually obtained and it showed medial wall and orbital floor fracture of the right eye, hence, we planned to do the reconstruction of orbital fracture. We concluded that patient with severe soft tissue swelling, unclear ocular movement restriction and diplopia with normal orbital X-ray should undergo orbital CT scan, as it is the best radiologic imaging in establishing an orbital wall fracture. This case report will discuss the importance on determining a proper imaging modality in blowout fracture.

Trans-septal suture retraction for endoscopic orbital surgery

ABSTRACT Purpose We describe a novel technique for endonasal endoscopic orbital surgery. Previously described strategies for minimally invasive orbital surgery include mobilization of the medial rectus muscle and cryosurgical retraction of the pathologic lesion. Herein we describe endoscopic trans-septal suture retraction of an orbital cavernous hemangioma to facilitate intra-orbital dissection from an external approach. Methods A 36-year-old male presented with blurred vision in his left eye for several years, along with several months of progressive left proptosis and decreasing visual acuity. Imaging revealed a 2.5 cm orbital mass consistent with a cavernous hemangioma. The patient underwent a combined transconjunctival and endoscopic approach for resection. Results Following left medial orbital wall and floor decompression, endoscopic trans-septal suture retraction facilitated dissection of the lesion from intraorbital structures. A complete extracapsular resection of the lesion was achieved. The inferomedial orbit was reconstructed with a synthetic implant. Conclusion Trans-septal suture retraction is an effective adjunctive technique for endonasal endoscopic orbital tumor surgery. This technique facilitates safe retraction and dissection of soft tissue lesions from critical intraorbital structures.

Orbital Fracture Reconstruction Using Prebent, Anatomic Titanium Plates: Technical Tips to Avoid Complications.

Orbital fractures are common. In patients where there is significant loss of the medial wall and orbital floor, anatomic prebent 3-dimensional plates allow efficacious restoration of orbital volume. However, the large size of these plates can result in technical difficulties with plate placement, especially in fractures with complete loss of 2 walls of the orbit. In this article, the authors review the pertinent anatomy of the bony orbit with respect to fracture and landmarks in fracture reduction. The authors also note the 3 most commonly encountered problems with the placement of anatomic plates: poor exposure, failure to identify the posterior ledge for the plate, and rotational issues with plate placement resulting in impingement. Technical tips are given to help overcome these issues intraoperatively.

Orbital Decompression for Thyroid-Related Orbitopathy During the Quiescent Phase.

To describe historical and modern surgical approaches to orbital decompression in patients with thyroid-related orbitopathy in the quiescent phase. A literature review of published techniques using the National Institutes of Health PubMed database. Historically, orbital decompression has been accomplished via transantral, transcranial, transnasal, and orbital approaches. Current techniques use predominately periocular incisions to achieve effective decompression and proptosis reduction. Based on exophthalmometry and desired proptosis reduction, the authors propose a graded surgical approach to decompression for thyroid orbitopathy beginning with fat reduction, followed by deep lateral orbit via a superior eyelid crease incision, then medial wall by retro-caruncular approach, then posterior medial orbital floor either via transconjunctival or swinging eyelid approach, and finally with lateral orbital rim removal by superior eyelid crease incision as needed. These approaches can result in a range of proptosis reduction of up to 10 mm. A structured approach to orbital decompression results in predictable and effective outcomes in proptosis reduction.

Role of Negative Orbit Vector in Orbital Blow-Out Fractures.

Negative orbit vector is defined as the most anterior globe portion protrudes past the malar eminence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between negative orbit vector and blow-out fracture location analyzing the distance between the anterior corneal surface and orbital bone with facial soft tissue in medial and orbital floor blow out fractures using orbital computed tomography (CT). Seventy-seven patients diagnosed with blow-out fractures involving the medial or orbital floor were included. Distances from the anterior cornea to lower lid fat, inferior orbital wall, inferior orbital rim, and anterior cheek mass were measured using orbital CT scans. The proportion of negative orbit vector and measured distanced were compared between medial wall fracture and orbital floor fracture. Medical records including age, sex, concomitant ophthalmic diagnosis, and nature of injury were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-three eyes from 43 patients diagnosed with medial wall fracture and 34 eyes from 34 patients diagnosed with orbital floor fracture were included. There was no significant difference in the distance from the anterior cornea to lower lid fat (P = 0.574), inferior orbital wall (P = 0.494), or orbital rim (P = 0.685). The distance from anterior cornea to anterior cheek mass was significantly different in medial wall fracture (-0.19 ± 3.49 mm) compared with orbital floor fracture (-1.69 ± 3.70 mm), P = 0.05. Negative orbit vector was significantly higher in orbital floor fracture patients (24 among 34 patients, 70.6%) compared with those with medial wall fractures (19 among 43 patients, 44.2%) (P = 0.04). Patients presenting with a negative orbit vector relationship when the most anterior portion of globe protruded past the anterior cheek mass and malar eminence were more likely to develop orbital floor fracture than medial wall fracture.

Management of Blowout Fracture With Support of Video Endoscopy in a Pediatric Patient.

Pure orbital fractures have the tendency to occur on medial wall and orbital floor; because these points are more fragile, the endoscopy can be utilized for accomplishing the task of repositioning the herniated content, as well as serving as an additional tool, helping to view the orbital defects through a transantral approach. The presented case is a female patient, 12 years old, who was diagnosed as having a pure blowout fracture, on right orbital floor, type trapdoor, with orbital content herniated toward the maxillary sinus. It was realized that a surgical procedure for reduction of orbital content through video endoscopy, via antral, allowed a great viewing of soft and hard structures, checking the positioning of implants and its relation with the orbital cavity, enabling installing through a small surgical access and minimum detachment, and favoring postoperative recovery.

Differentiation between Posterior Sinuses Using the Medial Orbital Floor as a Landmark.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the difference in height between the floors of the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses with respect to the medial orbital floor (MOF) to confirm this difference as a landmark for identification of the posterior sinuses. It also aims to describe this difference regarding the type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus (conchal, presellar, and sellar). Design A cross-sectional study was conducted. Study Center The study was conducted at the Department of Radiology of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, a tertiary care university hospital in Southern Brazil. Materials and Methods A standardized and computerized analysis of 100 tomography scans of sinuses (200 sides), in patients older than 18 years, was carried out. Results Mean vertical distance (height) from the MOF to the floor of the posterior ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses was 0.72 ± 1.85 mm and 9.48 ± 3.81 mm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference as compared with sex and side. We found conchal-type sphenoid sinus pneumatization in 1.5% (n = 3), presellar in 13.5% (n = 27), and sellar in 85% (n = 170), whereas the vertical distance between the MOF and the floor of the sphenoid sinus was 2.04 ± 0.81 in the conchal-type sinuses, 5.71 ± 2.49 in the presellar sinuses, and 10.21 ± 3.52 in the sellar sinuses. No sphenoid sinus showed its floor above the MOF, regardless of the type of pneumatization. Discussion and Conclusion The present study demonstrates that there is a difference between the floor of the posterior sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses in adults, which is more evident when the sphenoid sinus is well pneumatized. These data suggest that the difference in height between the floors of the sinus investigated in our study may be considered during endoscopic sinus surgery to guide adequate localization, but the surgeon should be aware of the type of pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus to use this landmark.

Anatomical Studies of the Orbital Cavity Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography

This study was designed to analyze the morphometric characteristics of the orbital cavity using three-dimensional computed tomography in Asians. Two hundred seventy-six orbits in 142 Asians (74 men and 68 women) were examined and compared according to age, sex, and laterality (right and left). Mean orbital morphometric values were as follows. Orbital cavity depth was 49.60 mm from optic foramen to orbitale (inferior) and 41.32 mm from optic foramen to lacrimal crest (medial). Anterior and posterior orbital medial wall heights were 17.73 and 12.76 mm, respectively. Medial, middle, and lateral orbital floor lengths were 39.08, 29.56, and 20.08 mm, respectively. Anterior and posterior orbital floor width was 21.87 and 12.00 mm, respectively. For the orbital inferior-medial angle, anterior, middle, and posterior value was 132.11°, 126.24°, and 136.88°, respectively. Inferior orbital cavity depth, anterior orbital medial wall height, and orbital floor length tended to increase with aging, whereas orbital floor width tended to decrease with aging. No significant differences were found in terms of laterality, and values were greater in men than in women. This quantitative analysis of orbital measurements will allow surgeons to plan operations more accurately and will help predict outcomes.

Transcaruncular Approach for Treatment of Medial Wall and Large Orbital Blowout Fractures.

We evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transcaruncular approach for reconstruction of medial orbital wall fractures and the combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach for reconstruction of large orbital defects involving the medial wall and floor. A retrospective review of the clinical and radiographic data of patients who underwent either a transcaruncular or a combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach by a single surgeon for orbital fractures between June 2007 and June 2013 was undertaken. Seven patients with isolated medial wall fractures underwent a transcaruncular approach, and nine patients with combined medial wall and floor fractures underwent a transcaruncular-transconjunctival approach with a lateral canthotomy. Reconstruction was performed using a porous polyethylene implant. All patients with isolated medial wall fractures presented with enophthalmos. In the combined medial wall and floor group, five out of eight patients had enophthalmos with two also demonstrating hypoglobus. The size of the medial wall defect on preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan ranged from 2.6 to 4.6 cm(2); the defect size of combined medial wall and floor fractures was 4.5 to 12.7 cm(2). Of the 11 patients in whom postoperative CT scans were obtained, all were noted to have acceptable placement of the implant. All patients had correction of enophthalmos and hypoglobus. One complication was noted, with a retrobulbar hematoma having developed 2 days postoperatively. The transcaruncular approach is a safe and effective method for reconstruction of medial orbital floor fractures. Even large fractures involving the orbital medial wall and floor can be adequately exposed and reconstructed with a combined transcaruncular-transconjunctival-lateral canthotomy approach. The level of evidence of this study is IV (case series with pre/posttest).

Surgical management of temple-related problems following lateral wall rim-sparing orbital decompression for thyroid-related orbitopathy

AimTo report a case series of patients with persistent temple-related problems following lateral wall rim-sparing (LWRS) orbital decompression for thyroid-related orbitopathy and to discuss their management.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records...

Cone beam CT analysis of Haller cells: prevalence and clinical significance

Haller cells are anterior ethmoid air cells located in the medial orbital floor immediately lateral to the maxillary infundibulum. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence and relationship between the existence and size of these cells with ipsilateral maxillary sinusitis and orbital floor dehiscence as visualized on cone beam CT (CBCT) images. CBCT image volumes of 50 patients were retrieved and analysed. All CBCT images were acquired with a 9-inch field of view scan. χ(2) and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests were used for statistical analysis of the obtained data, and p-values of <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. There was no statistically significant association between the existence and size of Haller cells and maxillary sinusitis. There was a significant association between Haller cells and orbital floor dehiscence. The explanation of maxillary sinusitis on the basis of mechanical obstruction is unlikely. This study provides evidence for the usefulness of CBCT scan in delineation of the sinonasal anatomy.