Retained wood penetrating the inferior orbital fissure removed after several months from injury: A case report and a comprehensive literature review.

Abstract

Background: Intraorbital wooden foreign bodies (IOWFBs) constitute a relatively rare ocular trauma. Clinically, it can be difficult to diagnose them due to their wide variety of clinical manifestations. In addition, radiologic diagnosis of IOWFBs is always uncertain and challenging since their low density and low intensity on initial images are identical to air and fat. Therefore, IOWFBs are commonly missed and may not be confirmed for days or months after the initial injury. This article endeavors to contribute to the existing literature on IOWFBs by adding a case of an unusual occurrence of retained wood penetrating the inferior orbital fissure (IOF). To date, there have been no documented instances of a similar occurrence in this particular anatomical location.

Case description: A 58-year-old female with a history of trauma sustained by a slipping accident 10 months before her referral to our hospital. She underwent multiple surgeries and was referred to us due to persistent right eye pain, periorbital swelling, recurrent eye discharge, and inferior orbital paresthesia. The imaging revealed a retained foreign body located in the right orbital floor inferior to the inferior rectus muscle extending to the sub-temporal fossa through the IOF. The residue was successfully removed without complications.

Conclusion: A history of trauma followed by persistent symptoms should raise the suspicion of a retained foreign body, regardless of the severity of trauma or the time between trauma and clinical presentation. Appropriate and timely imaging, followed by surgical removal, remains the cornerstone of treatment with a favorable prognosis.