Effectiveness of the Ultrasonography in the Evaluation Following Orbit Wall Reconstruction

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Blow out fracture resulting from facial trauma is of high frequency among facial bone fractures, and can cause severe complications. So, proper post-operative management and close observation are needed. So far, Computed tomography has been the best method in evaluating following orbit wall reconstruction. However, cost-effectiveness, accessibility to patients and hazard of radiation exposure of computed tomography require supplementary measure for the evaluation following orbit wall reconstruction. This study was performed to describe the effectiveness of ultrasonography in the evaluation following orbit wall reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 40 patients who underwent orbit wall reconstruction from June, 2008 to July, 2008. The patients' ages ranged from 13 to 65 years with the mean of 27.5 years. The patient group was composed of 27 males and 13 females. The follow up period ranged from 2 weeks to 28 weeks with the mean of 11 weeks. Preoperatively, all fractures were diagnosed using computed tomography. Ultrasonography for all cases, and computed tomography for 2 cases were performed for evaluation following orbit wall reconstruction. RESULTS: Reduction of herniated orbital soft tissue and orbit implant was identified by using ultrasonography in 38 cases out of 40 cases. In other cases which we could not identify the orbit implant, computed tomography was performed. CONCLUSION: Compared to computed tomography, ultrasonography is a simple, inexpensive and convenient method. Ultrasonography can be used as supplementary measure to computed tomography in the evaluation following orbit wall reconstruction for elective patients.