Skip to main content

Abstract

The periorbital area is the third most commonly injured region in children with facial fractures. In the setting of midfacial trauma, a complete eye examination is warranted to rule out globe injury; unfortunately, ophthalmic evaluation is often overlooked in the acute trauma setting. After screening for serious ocular injuries, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for the presence of a trapdoor orbital floor fracture that requires urgent surgical exploration and repair. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging gold standard for the detection of orbital fractures.

In patients with non-trapdoor orbital floor or medial wall fractures, repair is only required to address either disfiguring enophthalmos or persistent diplopia. Repositioning of all herniated tissue and proper implant placement are the key components in the successful surgical repair of orbital wall fractures.

Orbital hemorrhage/compartment syndrome must be suspected in midfacial trauma patients presenting with a decrease in visual acuity, an afferent pupillary defect, subconjunctival hemorrhage, proptosis, and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Traumatic orbital foreign bodies can be easily overlooked, especially in asymptomatic patients, and therefore clinicians must be vigilant in reviewing imaging studies and examining for entrance wounds in the appropriate clinical setting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Alcalá-Galiano A, Arribas-García IJ, Martín-Pérez MA, et al. Pediatric facial fractures: children are not just small adults. Radiographics. 2008;28:441–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Koltai PJ, Amjad I, Meyer D, et al. Orbital fractures in children. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:1375–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Koltai PJ, Rabkin D. Management of facial trauma in children. Pediatr Clin N Am. 1996;43:1253–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Zimmermann CE, Troulis MJ, Kaban LB. Pediatric facial fractures: recent advances in prevention, diagnosis and management. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006;35:2–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Chandler DB, Rubin PA. Developments in the understanding and management of pediatric orbital fractures. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2001;41:87–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hatef DA, Cole PD, Hollier LH Jr. Contemporary management of pediatric facial trauma. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009;17:308–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Hatton MP, Watkins LM, Rubin PA. Orbital fractures in children. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001;17:174–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Imahara SD, Hopper RA, Wang J, et al. Patterns and outcomes of pediatric facial fractures in the United States: a survey of the National Trauma Data Bank. J Am Coll Surg. 2008;207:710–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Eggensperger Wymann NM, Hölzle A, Zachariou Z, et al. Pediatric craniofacial trauma. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;66:58–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ferreira PC, Amarante JM, Silva PN, et al. Retrospective study of 1251 maxillofacial fractures in children and adolescents. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005;115:1500–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gassner R, Tuli T, Hächl O, et al. Craniomaxillofacial trauma in children: a review of 3,385 cases with 6,060 injuries in 10 years. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2004;62:399–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Holland AJ, Broome C, Steinberg A, et al. Facial fractures in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2001;17:157–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Losee JE, Afifi A, Jiang S, et al. Pediatric orbital fractures: classification, management, and early follow-up. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;122:886–97.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Li Z, Li ZB. Characteristic changes of pediatric maxillofacial fractures in China during the past 20 years. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;66:2239–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Nowinski D, Di Rocco F, Roujeau T, et al. Complex pediatric orbital fractures combined with traumatic brain injury: treatment and follow-up. J Craniofac Surg. 2010;21:1054–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Vyas RM, Dickinson BP, Wasson KL, et al. Pediatric facial fractures: current national incidence, distribution, and health care resource use. J Craniofac Surg. 2008;19:339–49; discussion 350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Smith B, Regan WF Jr. Blow-out fracture of the orbit; mechanism and correction of internal orbital fracture. Am J Ophthalmol. 1957;44:733–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. de Haan AB, Willekens B, Klooster J, et al. The prenatal development of the human orbit. Strabismus. 2006;14:51–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Haas A, Weiglein A, Faschinger C, Müllner K. Fetal development of the human orbit. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1993;231:217–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Hink EM, Wei LA, Durairaj VD. Clinical features and treatment of pediatric orbit fractures. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;30:124–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kim JS, Lee BW, Scawn RL, Korn BS, Kikkawa DO. Secondary orbital reconstruction in patients with prior orbital fracture repair. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;32(6):447–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Chung SY, Langer PD. Pediatric orbital blowout fractures. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28:470–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Cohen SM, Garrett CG. Pediatric orbital floor fractures: nausea/vomiting as signs of entrapment. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129:43–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kim J, Lee H, Chi M, Park M, Lee J, Baek S. Endoscope-assisted repair of pediatric trapdoor fractures of the orbital floor: characterization and management. J Craniofac Surg. 2010;21:101–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Sires BS, Stanley RB, Levine LM. Oculocardiac reflex caused by orbital floor trapdoor fracture: an indication for urgent repair. Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116:955–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Cobb A, Murthy R, Manisali M, et al. Oculovagal reflex in paediatric orbital floor fractures mimicking head injury. Emerg Med J. 2009;26:351–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Wei LA, Durairaj VD. Pediatric orbital floor fractures. J AAPOS. 2011;15(2):173–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Vicinanzo MG, McGwin G Jr, Allamneni C, Long JA. Interreader variability of computed tomography for orbital floor fracture. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2015;133(12):1393–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jones DE, Evans JN. “Blow-out” fractures of the orbit: an investigation into their anatomical basis. J Laryngol Otol. 1967;81(10):1109–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Meyer DR. Orbital fractures. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, editors. Duane’s clinical ophthalmology, revised edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1996; chap. 48.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Phan LT, Jordan Piluek W, McCulley TJ. Orbital trapdoor fractures. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2012;26(3):277–82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Jordan DR, Allen LH, White J, Harvey J, Pashby R, Esmaeli B. Intervention within days for some orbital floor fractures: the white-eyed blowout. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998;14:379–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Segrest DR, Dortzbach RK. Medial orbital wall fractures: complications and management. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1989;5:75–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Duane TD, Schatz NJ. Pseudo-Duane’s retraction syndrome. Trans Am Ophthalmol. 1976;79:122.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bansagi ZC, Meyer DR. Internal orbital fractures in the pediatric age group: characterization and management. Ophthalmology. 2000;107:829–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Burnstine MA. Clinical recommendations for repair of isolated orbital floor fractures: an evidence-based analysis. Ophthalmology. 2002;109:1207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kosaka M, Sakamoto T, Yamamichi K, Yamashiro Y. Different onset pattern of oculocardiac reflex in pediatric medial wall blowout fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2014;25:247–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Egbert JE, May K, Kersten RC, et al. Pediatric orbital floor fracture: direct extraocular muscle involvement. Ophthalmology. 2000;107:1875–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Grant JH 3rd, Patrinely JR, Weiss AH, et al. Trapdoor fracture of the orbit in a pediatric population. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;109:482–9; 490–495

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Tse R, Allen L, Matic D. The white-eyed medial blowout fracture. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;119:277–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Jurdy L, Malhotra R. White-eyed medial wall blowout fracture mimicking head injury due to persistent oculocardiac reflex. J Craniofac Surg. 2011;22:1977–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Oppenheimer A, Monson LA, Buchman SR. Pediatric orbital fractures. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2013;6:9–20.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Hink EM, Durairaj VD. Evaluation and treatment of pediatric orbital fractures. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2013;53(3):103–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. McInnes AW, Burnstine MA. White-eyed medial wall orbital blowout fracture. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;26(1):44–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. DeFazio MV, Fan KL, Avashia YJ, Danton GH, Thaller SR. Fractures of the pediatric zygoma: a review of the clinical trends, management strategies, and outcomes associatedwith zygomatic fractures in children. J Craniofac Surg. 2013;24(6):1891–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Lin KY, Bartlett SP, Yaremchuk MJ, Grossman RF, Udupa JK, Whitaker LA. An experimental study on the effect of rigid fixation on the developing craniofacial skeleton. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1991;87:229–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Costantino P, Wolpoe M. Short-and long-term outcome of facial plating following trauma in the pediatric population. Facial Plast Surg. 1999;7:231–42.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Haug RH, Foss J. Maxillofacial injuries in the pediatric patient. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2000;90:126–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Gussack GS, Luterman A, Powell RW, Rodgers K, Ramenofsky ML. Pediatric maxillofacial trauma: unique features in diagnosis and treatment. Laryngoscope. 1987;97:925–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Schliephake H, Berten JL, Neukam FW, Bothe KJ, Hausamen JE. Growth disorders following fractures of the midface in children (in German). Dtsch Zahnarztl Z. 1990;45:819–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Luck JD, Lopez J, Faateh M, et al. Pediatric zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture repair: location and number of fixation sites in growing children. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;142:51e–60e.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Alcala-Galiano A, Arribas-Garcia I, Martin-Perez MA, et al. Pediatric facial fractures: children are not just small adults. Radiographics. 2008;28:441–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Fulcher TP, Sullivan TJ. Orbital roof fractures: management of ophthalmic complications. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003;29:359–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Whatley WS, Allison DW, Chandra RK, et al. Frontal sinus fractures in children. Larygoscope. 2005;115:1741–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Greenwald MJ, Boston D, Pensler JM, et al. Orbital roof fractures in childhood. Ophthalmology. 1989;96:491–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Coon D, Yuan N, Jones D, Howell LK, Grant MP, Redett RJ. Defining pediatric orbital roof fractures: patterns, sequelae, and indications for operation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134:442e–8e.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Rowe NL. Fractures of the facial skeleton in children. J Oral Surg. 1968;26:505–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. McGraw BL, Cole RR. Pediatric maxillofacial trauma: age-related variations in injury. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;116:41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Thaller SR, Huang V. Midfacial fractures in the pediatric population. Ann Plast Surg. 1992;29:348.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Posnick JC, Wells M, Pron GE. Pediatric facial fractures: evolving patterns of treatment. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1993;51:836–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Stotland MA, Do NK. Pediatric orbital fractures. J Craniofac Surg. 2011;22:1230–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Baek SH, Lee EY. Clinical analysis of internal orbital fractures in children. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2003;17:44–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Carroll SC, Ng SG. Outcomes of orbital blowout fracture surgery in children and adolescents. Br J Ophthalmol. 2010;94:736–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Lane K, Penne RB, Bilyk JR. Evaluation and management of pediatric orbital fractures in a primary care setting. Orbit. 2007;26:183–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Criden MR, Ellis FJ. Linear nondisplaced orbital fractures with muscle entrapment. J AAPOS. 2007;11:142–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Putterman AM, Stevens T, Urist MJ. Nonsurgical management of blow-out fractures of the orbital floor. Am J Ophthalmol. 1974;77(2):232–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Nishida Y, Hayashi O, Miyake T, et al. Quantitative evaluation of ocular motility in blow-out fractures for selection of nonsurgically managed cases. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;137(4):777–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Broyles JM, Jones D, Bellamy J, et al. Pediatric orbital floor fractures: outcome analysis of 72 children with orbital floor fractures. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136(4):822–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. de Man K, Wijngaarde R, Hes J, et al. Influence of age on the management of blow-out fractures of the orbital floor. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1991;20:330–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Simon GJ, Syed HM, McCann JD, Goldberg RA. Early versus late repair of orbital blowout fractures. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2009;40(2):141–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Dal Canto AJ, Linberg JV. Comparison of orbital fracture repair performed within 14 days versus 15 to 29 days after trauma. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;24(6):437–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Appling WD, Patrinely JR, Salzer TA. Transconjunctival approach vs subciliary skin-muscle flap approach for orbital fracture repair. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993;19(9):1000–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Patel PC, Sobota BT, Patel NM, Greene JS, Millman B. Comparison of transconjunctival versus subciliary approaches for orbital fractures: a review of 60 cases. J Craniomaxillofac Trauma. 1998;4(1):17–21.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Waite PD, Carr DD. The transconjunctival approach for treating orbital trauma. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1991;49:499–503.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Bernardini FP, Nerad J, Fay A, Zambelli A, Cruz AA. The revised direct transconjunctival approach to the orbital floor. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;33(2):93–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Murchison AP, Matthews AE, Bilyk JR. Specific issues in pediatric periocular trauma. 3rd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Shorr N, Baylis HI, Goldberg RA, Perry JD. Transcaruncular approach to the medial orbit and orbital apex. Ophthalmology. 2000;107:1459–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Tessier P. The conjunctival approach to the orbital floor and maxilla in congenital malformation and trauma. J Maxillofac Surg. 1973;1:3–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Converse JM, Firmin F, Wood-Smith D, Friedland JA. The conjunctival approach in orbital fractures. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1973;52:656–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Nunery WR. Lateral canthal approach to repair of trimalar fractures of the zygoma. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 1985;1:175–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Foncesca RJ. Oral and maxillofacial trauma, vol. 3. Elsevier Saunders: St Louis; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  82. Su Y, Shen Q, Lin M, Fan X. Predictive factors for residual diplopia after surgical repair in pediatric patients with orbital blowout fracture. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2016;44(9):1463–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Yu DY, Chen CH, Tsay PK, et al. Surgical timing and fracture type on the outcome of diplopia after orbital fracture repair. Ann Plast Surg. 2016;76:91–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Kim SM, Jeong YS, Lee IJ, Park MC, Park DH. Prediction of the development of late enophthalmos in pure blowout fractures: delayed orbital tissue atrophy plays a major role. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2017;27(1):104–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Gagnon MR, Yeatts RP, Williams Z, et al. Delayed enophthalmos following a minimally displaced orbital floor fracture. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;20:241–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Harris GJ, Garcia GH, Logani SC, Murphy ML. Correlation of preoperative computed tomography and postoperative ocular motility in orbital blowout fractures. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;16(3):179–87.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. McGuckin JF Jr, Akhtar N, Ho VT, Smergel EM, Kubacki EJ, Villafanna T. CT and MR evaluation of a wooden foreign body in a vitro model of the orbit. Am J Neuroradiol. 1996;17:129–33.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Williamson TH, Smith FW, Forrester JV. Magnetic resonance imaging of intraocular foreign bodies. Br J Ophthalmol. 1989;73:555–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  89. Nasr AM, Haik BG, Fleming JC, Al-Hussain HM, Karcioglu ZA. Penetrating orbital injury with organic foreign bodies. Ophthalmology. 1999;106:523–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Gawdat TI, Ahmed RA. Orbital foreign bodies: expect the unexpected. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2010;47:e1–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Brock L, Tenenbaum HL. Retention of wooden foreign bodies in the orbit. Can J Ophthalmol. 1980;15:70–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Macrae JA. Diagnosis and management of a wooden orbital foreign body: case report. Br J Ophthalmol. 1979;63:848–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  93. Simonton JT, Arthurs BP. Penetrating injuries to the orbit. Adv Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 1987;7:217–27.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Tate E, Cupples H. Detection of orbital foreign bodies with computed tomography: current limits. Am J Roentgenol. 1981;137:493–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Adesanya OO, Dawkins DM. Intraorbital wooden foreign body (IOFB): mimicking air on CT. Emerg Radiol. 2007;14(1):45–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Hansen JE, Gudeman SK, Holgate RC, Saunders RA. Penetrating intracranial wood wounds: clinical limitations of computerized tomography. J Neurosurg. 1988;68(5):752–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Shelsta HN, Bilyk JR, Rubin PA, Penne RB, Carrasco JR. Wooden intraorbital foreign body injuries: clinical characteristics and outcomes of 23 patients. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;26(4):238–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Dalley RW. Intraorbital wood foreign bodies on CT: use of wide bone window settings to distinguish wood from air. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1995;164(2):434–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Panda BB, Kim UR. Complications of retained intraorbital wooden foreign body. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2014;7:38–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paul D. Langer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Chung, S.Y., Langer, P.D. (2021). Orbital Trauma. In: Shinder, R. (eds) Pediatric Ophthalmology in the Emergency Room . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49950-1_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49950-1_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-49949-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-49950-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics