title: Management of orbital-cranial trauma.
abstract: Orbital-cranial injuries have the greatest potential for death and disability of any condition treated by the ophthalmologist. An object that penetrates through the orbit into the brain may leave only a small entrance wound. Patients can have normal vision, neurologic exam, and plain x-rays despite trauma that may lead to meningitis, brain abscess, or pneumocephalus. The CT scan greatly aids in both the early and late management of blunt and penetrating orbital-cranial trauma. The detection of pneumocephalus may be the only clue that intracranial penetration has occurred. Blunt trauma can cause vision loss, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, and intracranial injury. Management of orbital-cranial trauma frequently requires a team approach by the ophthalmologist and neurosurgeon due to the complexity of these injuries.
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology