Complete dislocation of the eye globe into the maxillary sinus: a rare case

Abstract

Blowout fracture with entrapped orbital contents within the maxillary sinus is common due to the fragility of the inferior wall, but complete herniation of the eye globe is extremely rare and emergent. Dealing with such a case appears to be a real challenge for any ophthalmologist. We herein present a case of a 31-year-old woman with the entire eyeball missing from the orbit following a road traffic accident. Imaging revealed a complete herniation of the globe into the maxillary sinus. The patient underwent surgery for repositioning the herniated orbital contents and reconstructing the orbital walls. The outcome was satisfactory in terms of aesthetic effect, although the patient’s vision could not be restored as it still depends on various factors, especially the survival of ganglion cells after trauma.