The CT characteristics of orbital blowout fracture and its medicolegal expertise

Abstract 

To explore the CT characteristics of orbital blowout fracture, we reviewed 76 cases with orbital blowout fracture and analyzed their clinical forensic characteristics. The missed diagnosis rate of cranial CT was 26.3%, and plain X-ray was 47.4%. The orbital CT examination has advantages in diagnosing orbital blowout fracture. In 42 cases fractures were simple medial orbital wall fracture, 30 cases were inferior orbital fractures. Loss of clinical signs included local haematoma, bone continuity, and displacement of bone fragments were mostly seen in CT image. Clinical signs and symptoms included local haematoma, whilst diplopia as the most common clinical symptom. Visual acuity was rarely affected after fracture. It is concluded that orbital blowout fracture may be misdiagnosed if only cranial CT and plain X-ray are used. Diagnose the orbital blowout fracture only by craniocerebral CT and head X-ray. Orbital CT should be done if the clinical signs are suggestive of orbital blowout fracture Visual acuity was affected and diplopia may be present.

Keywords: Orbital blowout fracture, CT, Diplopia, Clinical forensic medicine