A Case of Orbital Apex Syndrome Induced by Penetrating Orbital Injury with Long-Term Results

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of orbital apex syndrome induced by penetrating orbital injury by a wire with the recovery process and clinical outcomes. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old female visited our clinic after a penetrating orbital injury through the left inferomedial conjunctiva by a wire. The best corrected visual acuity of the left eye was 0.6, and ptosis and total ophthalmoplegia were observed. The patient showed a dilated pupil, swelling of the optic disc on fundus exam, and an inferior field defect on the automated perimetry. The computed tomography image revealed mild retrobulbar hemorrhage, but there was no orbital bony fracture. Enhancement of the optic nerve sheath was observed on the magnetic resonance image. The patient was admitted and received systemic antibiotics and steroid treatment. After 1 month, visual acuity, ptosis, and limitation in adduction were partly improved. After 3 months, depression and adduction were improved and the pupil size was normalized. However, further improvement was not observed after the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery from orbital apex syndrome was achieved until 3 months after injury. The final outcomes may depend on the mechanism and pathophysiology of the injury. Emergent diagnosis and proper management are essential to achieve optimal clinical results.