An unusual foreign body in the infratemporal fossa

Post-traumatic transocular retained foreign body in the infratemporal fossa: a near miss

The infratemporal fossa is an uncommon site for lodgement of foreign bodies. Fast-moving projectiles and displaced teeth may get impacted and have been described in the literature. However, foreign body lodgement in the retromaxillary space after transorbital passage is rare. The trajectory of the foreign bodies in such cases is difficult to predict and may not be suspected in the absence of overt clinical features. The authors present a case of a wooden splinter lodged within the infratemporal fossa after the patient sustained a lid injury with an orbital floor fracture. Imaging was equivocal; hence, endoscopic surgical exploration was undertaken, revealing the foreign body. A high index of clinical suspicion and rapid intervention is needed since unsuspected foreign bodies may cause further visual, infective or neurovascular complications. Approaches should be tailored on a case-by-case basis.

A Case of Endoscopic Drainage of Pterygoid Fossa Abscess Induced by Fungal Invasion

The infratemporal fossa consists of critical structures affecting patient quality of life. Though abscess formation in the infratemporal fossa is very rare, drainage is highly recommended to avoid severe complications. We recently experienced a rare case of infratemporal fossa abscess. Such an abscess is easy to misdiagnose due to its rarity. Endoscopic drainage of the infratemporal fossa was conducted in this case, and its limited invasiveness was an advantage for a conservative approach. We present this case with a brief review of the approach to abscess of the infratemporal fossa area.

An extremely rare case of a displaced third molar into the infratemporal fossa associated with a textiloma

BACKGROUND

Third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures performed by oral surgeons, however with rare complications. The accidental displacement of a maxillary third molar into the infratemporal fossa (ITF) is a rare complication that can occur even with experienced surgeons.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a 17-year-old patient whose right upper third molar was accidentally pushed to the ITF associated with a cellulitis and the late discovery of a textiloma (a surgical gauze).

CONCLUSIONS

Extraction of third molars is a safe surgical procedure when performed in appropriate conditions. The diagnosis of textiloma following a maxillo-facial surgery is extremely rare. It is important to take into account this possibility in order to avoid delaying treatment when it occurs.