Traumatic Displacement of the Globe into the Maxillary Sinus: Case Report

Lim, Chan Soo; Kang, Dong Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE: Globe displacement due to a blowout fracture is a rare clinical phenomenon. The authors present reduction of a globe displacement to the maxillary sinus due to trauma suffered in a fall and the reconstruction of a large defect left in the medial and inferior orbit.
METHODS
A 39-year-old male patient was unable to open his left eye after being struck on the periorbital area by a metal edge. Laceration was not noted in that area but we were unable to observe the intraorbital globe. A facial computed tomography (CT) scan showed that the globe was displaced through the maxillary sinus. A transconjunctival approach was used to access the infraorbital margin and the globe entrapped in the inferior margin of the orbit was successfully reduced. A large defect in the medial and inferior orbit was reconstructed using a graft from the iliac bone.
RESULTS
In 5 months after the operation, no atrophy of the globe was seen. Both sides retained a similar shape. A satisfactory functionality outcome in terms of improved extraocular muscle movement, and a satisfactory aesthetical outcome were achieved.
CONCLUSION
The authors report the reduction of a globe displaced to the maxillary sinus following a fall and the reconstruction of the large defect left in the medial and inferior orbit.