Search Results (6)

Objective: Trauma is a leading cause of enophthalmos, typically resulting from an increase in the volume of the bony orbit. The general consensus is that post-traumatic primary deformity repair should aim to restore the premorbid volume, shape, and cosmesis of the orbitozygomatic complex (OZC). This study aims to utilise novel three-dimensional (3D) printed patient-specific moulds to intraoperatively fabricate enophthalmos wedges and onlays using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement to reconstruct the OZC. Methods: A total of seven patients underwent digital surgical planning using Freeform software to virtually correct orbitozygomatic complex deformities guided by a design algorithm. Three-dimensionally printed nylon patient-specific moulds were used intraoperatively to fabricate enophthalmos wedges and/or onlays using an industry-standard PMMA bone cement. Clinical examination and application of the proposed design algorithm determined that enophthalmos wedges were indicated for four patients, with one also requiring an onlay; and periorbital onlays were required for the three remaining patients. Results: Hertel exophthalmometry at a mean follow-up of 19.1 months demonstrated good outcomes in the correction of post-traumatic enophthalmos and hypoglobus and with patients reporting good subjective cosmetic results. Patients 5 and 7 had follow-up three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) to confirm correct placement. Conclusion: The use of patient-specific PMMA wedges and onlays, fabricated intraoperatively with the aid of 3D-printed moulds, offers a reliable and effective approach for correcting post-traumatic enophthalmos and hypoglobus. This method allows for the restoration of orbital volume and anatomical contours, addressing both functional and aesthetic concerns. Our results demonstrate that this technique yields favourable outcomes. Full article

Assessing enophthalmos is critical in facial trauma patients, and there are many ways to do so. We have reviewed the various devices for measuring enophthalmos over the last 155 years. Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of each instrument is important in obtaining accurate results and interpreting them. We have reviewed the evolution of enophthalmos definitions and surgical indications. Although 2 mm of enophthalmos is commonly used as a cutoff for clinical significance, one should take into account individual patient factors, measurement techniques used, symptoms and/or the patient’s aesthetic concerns. The decision to operate must also be balanced with the risks of surgery, which may cause or worsen symptoms, such as diplopia, soft tissue deformities related to the surgical approach, and possibly blindness. We question whether enophthalmos greater than 2 mm should be considered the main criteria for corrective surgery. Full article

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of orbital decompression combined with strabismus surgery in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) and identify factors leading to surgical success. A retrospective comparative case series was conducted on 52 patients who were treated with combined orbital decompression and strabismus surgery. Outcome measurements included perioperative Hertel exophthalmometry and strabismus measurements. Surgical success was defined as binocular single vision (BSV) in the primary and reading positions within 5 prism diopters (PDs). As a result, the average reduction in proptosis was 3.23 mm, with a mean preoperative Hertel measurement of 22.64 mm. Forty-four patients (84.6%) achieved the success criterion and composed the success group. In addition to sex and underlying hyperthyroidism, symmetry of orbitopathy, interocular exophthalmos difference of more than 2 mm, predominant esotropia type, mixed type strabismus, baseline horizontal deviations, baseline vertical deviations, and combination with one-wall decompression surgery were significantly different between the success and failure groups. All complications were mild and temporary. Orbital decompression combined with strabismus surgery produced satisfactory outcomes in selected patients with efficacy and safety. Symmetry between the two eyes with relatively simple strabismus and proptosis ensured surgical success. With experienced surgeons, advanced techniques, and selected patients, this method can serve as an alternative treatment option to minimize the number of surgeries, medical costs and recovery period. Full article

Study Design: This is a correlation study. Objective: The objective was to obtain normative values from modified Hertel exophthalmometer, to compare difference in values between modified and standard Hertel exophthalmometer and to statistically analyze for correlation. Methods: The study to validate the modification done to Hertel exophthalmometer was performed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at our institute. Informed consent was obtained from patients; measurement in 100 volunteers was made with Hertel and modified Hertel exophthalmometer by a single observer, and the measurements taken by the 2 devices were tabulated along with variables such as age and gender. Data were collected and statistical analysis was performed to compare and correlate the values between standard and modified exophthalmometer. Differences of ocular protrusion values in gender and age were also calculated. Results: There has been no statistically significant difference in the normative data between standard Hertel and modified Hertel exophthalmometer and in relation to age and gender. Conclusions: The modification of the Hertel exophthalmometer is validated and can also be used for relative exophthalmometry to assess the need for treatment and to evaluate the globe position and orbital volume intraoperatively. The proposed modification of the instrument allows it to be used in cases when one of the lateral orbital walls is fractured or displaced due to trauma. Full article

Background: Ophthalmopathy is a rare extra-thyroid manifestation of Graves’ disease, in paediatrics. Intravenous corticosteroids are the main treatment of moderate-to-severe Graves’ orbitopathy. In this paper, we describe a moderate-to-severe active Graves’ ophthalmopathy in a child and the response to oral therapy with prednisone. Case presentation: A nine-year-old male child suffering for a few months, from palpitations, tremors, and paresthesia was hospitalized in our Pediatric Clinic. At admission, the thyroid function laboratory tests showed hyperthyroidism with elevated free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels and suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. These findings, combined with the clinical conditions—an ophthalmologic evaluation (that showed the presence of exophthalmos without lagophthalmos and visual acuity deficiency), thyroid ultrasound, and TSH receptor antibody positivity—led to a diagnosis of Graves’ disease. Therefore, methimazole was administered at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg/day. After 4 months, thyroid function was clearly improved, with normal FT3 and FT4 values and increasing TSH values, without adverse effects. Nevertheless, an eye examination showed ophthalmopathy with signs of activity, an increase in the exophthalmos of the right eye with palpebral retraction, soft tissue involvement (succulent and oedematous eyelids, caruncle and conjunctival hyperaemia and oedema) and keratopathy, resulting from exposure. We began steroid therapy with oral administration of prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) for four weeks, followed by gradual tapering. After one week of therapy with prednisone, an eye assessment showed reduced retraction of the upper eyelid of the right eye, improvement of right eye exophthalmometry and reduction of conjunctival hyperaemia. After four weeks of therapy with prednisone, an eye assessment showed reduction of the right palpebral retraction without conjunctival hyperaemia and no other signs of inflammation of the anterior segment; after twelve weeks, an eye assessment showed a notable decrease in the right palpebral retraction and the absence of keratitis, despite persisting moderate conjunctival hyperaemia. No adverse event associated with steroid use was observed during the treatment period and no problem in compliance was reported. Conclusion: Prednisone seems a better choice than intravenous corticosteroids, for treating moderate-to-severe and active Graves’ ophthalmopathy, keeping in mind the importance of quality of life in pediatric patients. Full article

Background Combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures can be technically challenging to repair, particularly when the inferomedial strut is involved. A surgical repair technique is described utilizing a single preshaped porous polyethylene/titanium implant to span both defects. Methods Retrospective interventional case series. Results Fracture repair was performed on 17 orbits (16 patients) between October 2009 and February 2012. Subsequent surgical revision was required in three cases (18%). Visual acuity was stable or improved in all cases. Of 7 patients with preoperative diplopia, 5 improved and 2 remained stable postoperatively, and there were no cases of new or worsened diplopia following surgery. Postoperative asymmetry in Hertel exophthalmometry averaged 1.0 mm (range 0 to 2 mm). Preoperatively, average orbital volume was 122.7% compared with control (range 109 to 147%, standard deviation [SD] 9.6), which improved to 100.3% postoperatively (range 92 to 110%, SD 5.7). The average decrease in orbital volume was 22.5% (range 10 to 54%, SD 11.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions With careful preoperative planning and meticulous surgical technique, combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures involving the inferomedial strut can be successfully repaired with a preshaped porous polyethylene/titanium implant through a transconjunctival/transcaruncular approach with inferior oblique disinsertion. Full article