Diagnosis and management of enophthalmos

Challenges in management of congenital enophthalmos due to anomalous accessory orbital extraocular muscle bands

INTRODUCTION

Congenital enophthalmos is a rare condition characterized by posterior displacement of the globe, often associated with bony orbital anomalies or whole globe development defects. The purpose of this report is to present two unrelated cases of congenital enophthalmos secondary to anomalous accessory orbital bands and to describe characteristics of orbital imaging that differentiate this condition from the other causes.

METHODS

The case records of two patients who presented with congenital enophthalmos and were discovered to have anomalous accessory orbital extraocular muscle bands were reviewed. The clinical features, initial diagnosis, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and surgical outcomes were noted. A 3-dimensional reconstruction model was used to understand the approach and surgical management in one of the cases.

RESULTS

Both patients presented with unilateral severe enophthalmos, globe retraction, and restricted ocular motility in all directions since birth. High-resolution MRI of the orbits revealed a short anomalous band, isointense to the muscle, arising from a rectus muscle belly and attaching to the posteroinferior part of the globe adjacent to the optic nerve. The caliber of the extraocular muscles and ocular motor nerves was normal. In one patient, surgery was not pursued due to the extreme posterior location of the band with proximity to the optic nerve. In the other patient, the deviation did not improve, despite successfully severing the accessory band, due to extensive scarring.

CONCLUSION

Anomalous accessory orbital extraocular muscle bands are a rare and often overlooked cause of congenital enophthalmos when associated with limited ocular motility. Imaging the orbit can aid in diagnosis and help differentiate it from other causes. Safe surgical approaches to address the problem are limited, and available approaches may not be effective. These two cases highlight that the management of accessory extraocular muscle bands causing enophthalmos can be extremely challenging and difficult to improve even with intensive surgical intervention.

Effective diagnosis and surgical management of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid is an aggressive and rare neoplasm. It generally develops from the eccrine sweat gland and diffuses to the dermis and subcutis of the eyelid or axillae. The lesion usually presents as a progressive, diffuse and painless swelling of the eyelid with or without erythema and is frequently misdiagnosed as a chalazion or a chronic blepharoconjunctivitis leading to delayed management. The histology typically shows a signet ring cell or histiocytoid morphology. The authors present a case of a 76-year-old woman with a diagnosis of a primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the eyelid with atypical presentations. With this report, we seek to increase clinician awareness toward this tumor and to highlight the need for systematic recommendations in order to improve the management of these patients.

Prediction of exophthalmos by body mass index for craniofacial reconstruction: consequences for cold cases

It is inconvenient for a forensic practitioner to gather population-specific data before performing a facial reconstruction. The inconvenience may defeat the point of creating the reconstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate a non-population-dependent method of determining exophthalmos. The protrusion of the eyeball is known to vary with the contents of the orbital cavity based on bony orbital resorption or increased or decreased fat contents, as well as according to relative eyeball size. Of use are available statistics on body mass index, and this is discussed within the context of eyeball protrusion. A weak positive correlation (0.3263) between the body mass index of the country where the study originated, and the degree of exophthalmos was found. The results suggest that eyeball protrusion rates can be established according to body mass index, and this framework may be more useful considering conventional police practices.

[Large foreign bodies inside the orbit and maxillary sinus (clinical observation)]

The great variety of orbital traumas can surprise and challenge specialists attempting to cure its consequences with the best possible outcome. This article presents a clinical case of a patient diagnosed with cicatricial deformity of the free edge and trichiasis of the upper eyelid in the lateral angle area, keratopathy, enophthalmos on the left side; posttraumatic defect of the inferior orbital wall; multiple foreign bodies in the orbit and maxillary sinus on the left side. Patient examination included conventional ophthalmological study methods, as well as multislice computed tomography with 3D-reconstruction. Surgical treatment required involvement of an ophthalmologist, an otorhinolaryngologist and a maxillofacial surgeon. The first stage of surgical treatment addressed the deformity of the lateral part of the upper eyelid margin including resection of its fragment, trichiasis surgery, and lateral canthoplasty. In the second stage, the multidisciplinary team of surgeons removed foreign bodies through combined subciliary and endonasal access with placement of a mandibular autograft onto the inferior orbital wall. Radiological examination should be done in all patients with trauma to the orbital area in order to detect latent injuries. When choosing a treatment strategy, specialists should be aware of trauma complicity and necessity to enlist a multidisciplinary medical team. Patients should be informed that sometimes the consequences of the trauma may not be treated completely.

Acute Enophthalmos After Lumbar Puncture in a Patient with Type 1 Neurofibromatosis Related Sphenoid Wing Dysplasia

A 19-year-old woman with type 1 neurofibromatosis related sphenoid wing dysplasia underwent a lumbar puncture (LP) after an unexplained syncopal event. The cerebrospinal fluid work-up was unremarkable. However, 30-hours post LP, she developed marked enophthalmos ipsilateral to the calvarial dysplasia. The enophthalmos gradually resolved within 72 hours. We surmise that the patient's enophthalmos was due to an LP induced decrease of intracranial pressure in conjunction with the orbital bone anomaly.

Secondary Correction of Posttraumatic Enophthalmos

Posttraumatic enophthalmos (PE) arises when the ocular globe is displaced posteriorly and inferiorly in the orbital cavity due to a mismatch in orbital volume and orbital content. This most commonly happens after orbital fractures. The resulting disruptions to aesthetic form and ocular functions often necessitate surgical correction for reconstruction and restoration. The purpose of surgical management of PE is to reconstruct orbital shape and volume as well as to restore any herniated orbital content. This can be particularly challenging in cases involving large defects that require complex orbital reconstruction. Recent advancements in computer-aided surgery have introduced innovative and important tools to assist surgeons with these difficult cases. The ability to create customized, patient-specific implants can facilitate reconstruction involving complicated anatomy. Additionally, intraoperative imaging and intraoperative navigation can serve as useful guides for surgeons to more accurately place implants, especially in cases with limited visualization, in order to achieve optimal outcomes.

Hyaluronic acid injections in post-enucleation or evisceration socket syndrome: a case series

Background

One of the primary goals of enucleation and evisceration surgery is the restoration of an adequate orbital volume through the use of appropriately sized alloplastic or autogenous tissues. In patients inadequately treated, post-enucleation or evisceration socket syndrome occurs. Fillers are an ideal alternative for eyelid and eyebrow arcade volume enhancement since their injection is easily performed in an outpatient setting avoiding several complications. The aim of this study is to report the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers to treat volume deficits of the upper and lower eyelids, projecting the brow arcade and reducing the asymmetry.

Methods

Thirteen patients (2 male, 11 female, mean age 32.7 years) were treated from June 2012 to May 2020. Non-surgical treatment by HA filler injection for aesthetic rehabilitation of deep superior sulcus, inferior tear trough deformity, and scleral show was performed.

Results

No complications as orbital-ache and/or vasovagal response were reported during the injections. Minor complications such as light swelling at the site of injection, self-resolved within 2 days, were recorded. Stable results were observed at follow-ups. In two cases, two successive treatments were required at 3 and 6 years from the first injection.

Conclusions

Hyaluronic acid fillers offer a versatile and safe method for replacing soft tissue lost from the upper eyelid/brow complex in cases of post-enucleation or evisceration socket syndrome.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Incidence and management of retrobulbar hemorrhage after blowout fracture repair

BACKGROUND

Retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) is a rare complication after orbital surgery but associated with ocular complications including blindness. The aim of this study was to identify clinical characteristics of patients with RBH requiring emergent orbital decompression after blowout fracture repair.

METHOD

A retrospective review of 426 blowout fracture patients at a tertiary oculoplastic clinic provided data regarding demographics, physical examination findings, and computed tomography (CT) images. Extraocular motility had been recorded in patient charts on a scale from 0 to - 4. Patients requiring emergent orbital decompression due to RBH after surgery (RBH group) were compared with those who did not (Control group), using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Incidences of RBH according to primary or secondary surgery were also investigated, using Fisher's exact test.

RESULT

Five (1.2%) of the 426 patients who underwent blowout fracture repair developed RBH requiring emergent intervention. All RBH patients fully recovered after the decompression procedure or conservative treatment. Number of days to surgery was significantly longer in the RBH group (97.0 ± 80.1) than in the Control group (29.0 ± 253.0) (p = 0.05). Preoperative enophthalmos was also significantly greater in the RBH group (RBH vs. Control group, 3.6 ± 1.7 mm versus 1.2 ± 1.3 mm (p = 0.003)). The incidence of RBH was significantly higher in patients that underwent secondary surgery (odds ratio = 92.9 [95% confidence interval, 11.16-773.23], p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons should pay more attention to hemostasis and postoperative care in patients with a large preoperative enophthalmic eye, when time from injury to surgery is long and in revision cases. When RBH occurs, time to intervention and surgical decompression is critical for visual recovery and preventing blindness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The institutional review board of the Yeungnam University Medical Center approved this study ( YUMC 2018-11-010 ), which was conducted in accord with the Declaration of Helsinki.

[Computer technologies in diagnostics and treatment of worsening post-enucleation socket syndrome]

Enucleation with primary orbital implantation and the use of ocular prosthesis does not exclude the risk of post-enucleation socket syndrome (PESS). Correction of such conditions requires modern visualization methods and software for calculation, modelling and control of the surgery.

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the capabilities of modern computer technologies in diagnostics and treatment of patients with worsening post-enucleation enophthalmos.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective study included 6 patients (4 male and 2 female) aged 29-68 years who exhibited signs of PESS in 2017-2018. To define the orbital condition, patients underwent multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by image analysis with computed exophthalmometry and step-by-step computed exophthalmometry. Results of these examinations helped construct 3D-models of patients' orbits, which were then used to calculate the parameters of the silicone implants. Patient-specific silicone implants were implanted into their orbits during surgery under general anesthesia.

RESULTS

Implantation of the patient-specific silicone implant resulted in increase of the volume behind orbital prosthesis and correction of post-enucleation enophthalmos in all patients allowing them to use thinner, more mobile ocular prosthesis, and restore normal eyelid position. The patients also noted better appearance of the eye and personal comfort.

CONCLUSION

Modern visualization methods along with computer analysis and modelling, as well as technologies to produce medical products enable creation of the best suitable patient-specific orbital implants. This allows achieving better clinical results and better quality of life for patients with monolateral anophthalmos.

Etiologies of Proptosis: A review

Proptosis, the protrusion of the eyeball from the orbit, results from a wide variety of pathologies that can be vision- or life-threatening. Clinical history, associated physical exam findings, and imaging features are all crucial in establishing the underlying etiology. The differential diagnosis is broad, and includes infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neoplastic entities that range from benign and indolent, to malignant and aggressive. While treatment varies significantly based on the disease process, all are aimed at preserving vision, salvaging the globe, preventing disfigurement, and reducing mortality. Both internists and general ophthalmologists should be familiar with the causes of proptosis in order to initiate the work-up for, and appropriately triage, affected patients.

Correction of Delayed Traumatic Enophthalmos Using Customized Orbital Implants

PURPOSE

To determine the relation between overcorrection of orbital volume and ocular projection in patients with orbital trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed of patients with enophthalmos as a side effect of orbital trauma. The sample included patients older than 18 years who required reconstruction using customized implants to treat enophthalmos with or without diplopia. The exclusion criteria were patients who had multiple or extended fractures and patients with amaurosis or a prosthetic eye. Orbital volumes were calculated and the position of the eyeball in the healthy and traumatized sockets was determined before and after installing the implant and the ratio between these variables was calculated. Two variables were identified: 1) orbital volume and 2) enophthalmos. Analysis of the estimator variables was performed, defining 3 groups: 1) healthy eye socket, 2) traumatized eye socket without implant, and 3) traumatized eye socket with implant. The Shapiro-Wilk test, paired t test, and linear regression analysis were performed. A P value less than .05 (95% confidence interval) indicated significant differences.

RESULTS

Of 294 patients who underwent orbital zygomatic complex reconstruction surgery, 13 required customized implants and only 5 met the inclusion criteria. The average volumetric variation in the groups of traumatized eye sockets with and without implants was statistically significant (P < .05), overcorrecting by an average of 4.2 cm³. The average enophthalmos variation in the groups of traumatized eye sockets with and without implants was statistically significant (P < .05), projecting the eyeball by an average 1.80 mm. The ratio between the average orbital volume and projection of the eyeball was determined to be 1:0.721 (correlation, 45.6%).

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that the eyeball is projected 0.7 mm for every 1 cm³ of volume added in customized orbital implants. However, additional clinical studies with larger samples should be conducted.

Sunken Eye Induced by Superior Orbital Wall Defect After Craniofacial Surgery

Enophthalmos after a ventriculo-peritoneal (V-P) shunt placement is very rare. Previous defects of the orbital wall with intracranial hypotension can cause enophthalmos after V-P shunting. The authors present 2 patients of enophthalmos with orbital wall defects resulting from anterior clinoidectomy that was performed during previous aneurysmal surgery. Both patients received a V-P shunt for hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although the hydrocephalus was improved by V-P shunts in both patients, sunken eyes were observed. The patients received reconstructive surgery of the superior orbital wall using titanium mesh and recovered after surgery without any neurological deficits. Here, the authors present 2 patients of enophthalmos with orbital wall defects treated by orbital wall reconstruction.

Volumetric analysis of chronic maxillary atelectasis

BACKGROUND

The relationship between orbit and maxillary sinus volumes in patients with chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA), commonly known as silent sinus syndrome if enophthalmos is present, is poorly understood.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CMA from 2005 to 2013 was performed. Computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed using OsiriX 5.8.2 software for volumetric analysis of the orbit and maxillary sinus at presentation and after surgical treatment with ESS.

RESULTS

Pretreatment mean orbit volumes on the diseased side (DS) and the contralateral side (CS) were 29.22 and 26.50 mL, respectively (p < 0.001); mean sinus volumes on the DS and CS were 8.51 and 17.20 mL, respectively (p < 0.001); and pretreatment mean midorbit heights (MOHs) on the DS and CS were 3.39 cm and 3.07 cm, respectively (p < 0.001). The percent decrease in sinus volume on the DS compared to that on the CS did not correlate significantly with the percent orbit-volume increase. Enophthalmos was present in nine (41%) patients, and diplopia was present in three (14%) patients. The measured degree of increased orbit volume and decreased sinus volume secondary to CMA did not significantly predict the presence of enophthalmos at presentation. Seven patients underwent sinus CT more than 6 months after ESS. In these patients, orbit volume on the DS decreased from 29.67 to 27.52 mL (p = 0.005), and sinus volume on the DS increased from 9.78 to 11.84 mL (p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric analysis is a powerful and novel method for objectively demonstrating the degree of orbit expansion and maxillary sinus contraction seen with CMA. Spontaneous maxillary sinus expansion and a decrease in orbit volume can occur after ESS, but post-ESS volumes do not return to the normal volume of the CS.

Enophthalmos and Hemifacial Skeletal Atrophy After Trigeminal Nerve Injury

A 60-year-old woman presented with several years increasing right upper eyelid ptosis. She had undergone surgical decompression of the right trigeminal nerve in the posterior cranial fossa 15 years earlier for trigeminal neuralgia. This left her with permanent numbness in the second and third divisions of the trigeminal nerve. In addition to the ptosis, she was found to have right enophthalmos and a smaller right face. CT scans showed a smaller midfacial skeleton on the right and a depressed orbital floor. The changes were different to those seen in silent sinus syndrome. Photographs taken over many years showed the facial changes were acquired and came on gradually many years after the trigeminal nerve injury. It is possible that trigeminal nerve injury may lead to trophic changes in the facial skeleton, but these have not been previously reported.

Acquired enophthalmos with systemic lupus erythematosus

Ocular involvement sometimes occurs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) but enophthalmos with SLE is rare. We report a case of enophthalmos with SLE. A 25-year-old male was admitted for two weeks of fever, sore throat, arthralgia, chest pain and right arm weakness with pain. We diagnosed him with SLE with malar rash, arthritis, pleural effusion, proteinuria, leukopenia, positive antinuclear antibody, anti-dsDNA, and lupus anticoagulant. The patient was prescribed high-dose prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine 400 mg. One week after discharge, he complained about a sensation of a sunken right eye. CT showed right enophthalmos, a post-inflammatory change and chronic inflammation. Proteinuria increased to 3.8 g/day after the patient stopped taking prednisolone. Cyclophosphamide therapy was administered for three months without improvement. We decided to restart prednisolone and change cyclophosphamide to mycophenolate mofetil. Proteinuria decreased but enophthalmos remains as of this reporting.

Posttraumatic Delayed Enophthalmos: Analogies with Silent Sinus Syndrome? Case Report and Literature Review

Acute posttraumatic enophthalmos is a well-known symptom occurring in orbital blowout fractures. Its late onset in the absence of radiologic evidence of displaced fractures is rare and traditionally attributed to ischemic liponecrosis or fibrotic scarring of endo-orbital soft tissues. In this article, we describe a case of facial trauma, diagnosed and treated at the Maxillo-Facial Surgical Department of Hospital Ca' Granda Niguarda of Milan, in which delayed monolateral enophthalmos is associated with CT evidence of remodeling of orbital walls attributed to atelectasis of the maxillary sinus, as occurs spontaneously in patients suffering from silent sinus syndrome (SSS). Despite that classic criteria exclude traumatic etiology of SSS, recent literature suggests the possibility to include it. Our case is the first reported in literature supported by complete clinical and radiological documentation obtained before and after the condition established itself. The analogy with cases of spontaneous obstacle of aeration allows us to choose "two-step" surgical treatment with endoscopic uncinectomy and antrostomy and a delayed surgical correction of orbital volume to improve aesthetic results. The case described in this article and the review of the literature may focus physicians' attention on evaluating the possible traumatic changes in the physiologic sinus drainage system.

Frontoethmoidal mucocele presenting as progressive enophthalmos

In this case report we describe a 27-year-old man who presented with progressive enophthalmos for 5 months without any other associated ocular symptoms such as pain, diplopia, or visual disturbance. Computed tomography showed that his progressive enophthalmos originated from a frontoethmoidal mucocele and this caused destruction of the lamina papyracea and shrinkage of the ethmoidal air cell. Finally the enlarged orbital space caused an inward deviation of the eyeball. Endoscopic marsupialization was successfully performed by an otolaryngologist and did not result in any ophthalmologic sequelae. Although frontoethmoidal sinus mucoceles mostly frequently originates from orbital mucoceles, enophthalmic manifestations are very rare. Enophthalmic conditions are not as responsive to surgical interventions as exophthalmic conditions.

High-density porous polyethylene wedge implant in correction of enophthalmos and hypoglobus in seeing eyes

INTRODUCTION

To report the results of post-traumatic enophthalmos/hypophthalmos correction with high-density porous polyethylene wedge implants in seeing eyes.

METHODS

This is an interventional case series of 25 patients (25 eyes) with post-traumatic enophthalmos and hypophthalmos, who underwent orbital reconstruction to correct the enophthalmos and hypophthalmos using Medpor® wedge implant. The aim was an overcorrection of 1 mm in comparison to the other eye, intra-operatively. If needed, trimming of the wedge implant or adding Medpor® sheets were used to achieve the goal. Success was defined as achieving the globe position within 1 mm of the other eye in the last follow-up. Improvement and failure were considered as correction outside the success range of 1 mm and no change in the amount of enophthalmos/hypophthalmos, respectively.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for at least 6 months (mean= 12.66, SD= 12.32). Success, improvement and failure of enophthalmos correction were: 58.3% (14/24), 37.5% (9/24) and 1 (1/24, 4.1%), respectively. Success, improvement and failure of hypophthalmos correction were 73.68% (14/19), 15.78% (3/19) and 5.26% (1/19), respectively. There was no significant difference between the success rate of enophthalmos versus hypophthalmos correction (P= 0.8). Results of 1-month follow up change in enophthalmos and hypophthalmos significantly correlated (r= 0.92, P= 0.000) with the change recorded at last follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Porous polyethylene wedge implants are useful and safe in correction of enophthalmos and hypoglobus in seeing eyes. Appropriately positioned implant yields no significant difference in correction of enophthalmos versus hypophthalmos.

Orbital metastases

BACKGROUND

Orbital metastasis, although uncommon, is a condition optometrists should consider in a patient presenting with proptosis, ptosis, diplopia, or a lid mass with a history of cancer. However, in as many as 19% of cases, patients have no prior or concurrent history of systemic cancer when presenting with ophthalmic symptoms. If suspecting an orbital metastasis, neuroimaging is important, as well as a referral to the patient's primary care provider, oncologist, and ophthalmologist.

CASE REPORTS

Three patients with orbital metastasis are discussed. The first was a 55-year-old white man who initially presented with a left ptosis of unclear etiology. Magnetic resonance imaging of his orbits and an orbital biopsy found metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were initiated, but the patient died shortly afterward. The second patient was a 49-year-old black man who also presented with a ptosis of the right upper eyelid. An area of the retina appeared elevated; ophthalmic B-scan and computed tomography of the orbits confirmed the presence of a mass, determined to be metastatic lung carcinoma to the right orbit. A course of radiotherapy was initiated, but the patient died 3 days after completing therapy. The last case was a 77-year-old white man with a history of metastasis to the left orbit from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. On examination, he had proptosis of the left eye, initially thought to be caused by a recurrence of the metastasis. However, a computed tomography scan showed a new meningioma in the same orbit, and treatment was started. The proptosis improved, and the patient continues to be followed up regularly.

CONCLUSIONS

Any patient with proptosis and/or ptosis with a history of cancer should be evaluated for orbital metastasis. Optometrists should keep in mind that an orbital metastasis may represent the initial manifestation of undiagnosed systemic cancer. Prognosis can be poor, and thus treatment is sometimes palliative in nature, intending to slow the progression of the disease instead of providing a cure.

[Orbital varix presenting with enophthalmos. A case report]

We report a 23-year-old patient, presenting with enophthalmos in the left eye. The ophthalmologic examination was normal, except a 3-mm enophthalmos measured using the Hertel's exophthalmometer and an intermittent proptosis observed through the Valsalva maneuver. Orbital imaging tests disclosed a retroocular vascular lesion. A carotis arteriography was performed, and it revealed a tumor with vascular elements presumed to be orbital varix. Ultrasound Doppler examination showed a nonechogenic lesion with an increasing volume during Valsalva. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as orbital varix. We decided to manage the patient conservatively, in the absence of complications such as proptosis with corneal exposure, optic nerve compression, or esthetically unacceptable appearance. Orbital varix is a vascular anomaly, accounting for 2 % of orbital tumors. It generally presents with an intermittent exophthalmos or orbital hemorrhages. The development of enophthalmos associated with varices, such as reported in our case, is rare.

Delayed presentation of silent sinus syndrome after orbital trauma

OBJECTIVES

We describe the clinical presentation and management of a patient with a remote history of orbital trauma who presented with spontaneous right enophthalmos and radiographic findings consistent with silent sinus syndrome over 30 years after her initial orbital injury.

METHODS

The patient chart and imaging results were reviewed. A literature review of silent sinus syndrome and traumatic enophthalmos was performed.

RESULTS

Our patient had both clinical and radiographic findings consistent with silent sinus syndrome. Only 2 other cases of silent sinus syndrome after orbital trauma have been reported in the literature. The underlying anatomic pathology common to all cases is obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex with subsequent maxillary sinus hypoventilation and sinus collapse. Our patient underwent single stage repair with endoscopic maxillary antrostomy and had resolution of the mucosal disease at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Posttraumatic cases of silent sinus syndrome are much less common than spontaneous cases but share similar pathophysiology and can be effectively treated using endoscopic techniques.