Blow-out fractures of the orbit: a comparison of computed tomography and conventional radiography with anatomical correlation.
Orbital blow-out fractures were experimentally created in eight human cadavers. Each orbit underwent conventional radiographic studies, complex motion tomography, and computed tomographic examinations. A comparison of the three modalities was made. Anatomical correlation was obtained by dissecting the orbits. The significance of medial-wall fractures and enophthalmos is discussed. Limitation of inferior rectus muscle mobility is thought to be a result of muscle kinking associated with orbital fat-pad prolapse at the fracture site, rather than muscle incarceration. Blow-out fractures should be evaluated by computed tomographic computer reformations in the oblique sagittal plane.
D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed