Characteristics of pellet injuries to the orbit.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the features of orbital injuries by pellets fired from the front.


METHODS
Retrospective, 4 cases of pellet injuries.


METHODS
Five orbits of 4 patients who sustained pellet injuries received from the front were reviewed retrospectively. The course of injury and results were assessed. Radiological examinations were reviewed. The patients were evaluated between December 1996 and June 2004.


RESULTS
Five orbits of 4 patients sustained injuries caused by pellets fired from an anterior direction. The globe in the injured orbit was intact in 2 cases. Severe loss of vision was also present in these 2 globes due to optic nerve involvement. Final visual acuity was down to no light perception in 4 eyes and limited to light perception in 1 eye.


CONCLUSIONS
The prognosis of orbital pellet injuries is, unfortunately, poor. A pellet passing through the floor of the orbit often causes double perforation of the globe and, once in the orbital aperture, it travels towards the apex as a result of the conical shape of the orbit and lodges in the optic canal or its entrance, severely damaging the optic nerve. Surgery or other treatments are usually unsuccessful. Even if the globe is intact, vision is usually severely impaired.
Kükner
A Sahap
AS
Department of Ophthalmology, Izzet Baysal Medical Faculty, Golkoy, Turkey. askukner@gmail.com
Yilmaz
Turgut
T
Celebi
Serdal
S
Karslioğlu
Safak
S
Alagöz
Gürsoy
G
Serin
Didem
D
Acar
M Akif
MA
Ozveren
M Faik
MF
D000328:Adult; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult