title: Evaluation and management of 2 ferocactus spines in the orbit.
abstract: A 49-year-old woman, who had fallen face first in a cactus 1 week earlier, presented with a small, mobile, noninflamed subcutaneous nodule at the rim of her right lateral orbit with no other functional deficits. A CT scan was obtained, which revealed a 4-cm intraorbital tubular-shaped foreign body resembling a large cactus spine. A second preoperative CT scan, obtained for an intraoperative guidance system, demonstrated a second cactus spine, which was initially not seen on the first CT scan. Both spines were removed surgically without complication. The authors discuss factors that can cause diagnosis delay, review the radiographic features of cactus spines, and discuss the often times benign clinical course of retained cactus spine foreign bodies. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of cactus spines in the orbit. Health-care professionals should have a low threshold for imaging in cases of traumatic injuries involving cactus spines.
authors: Navy Medical Center, San Diego, California, U.S.A.
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Russell
authors: Tim I
authors: TI
authors: Kim
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Kubis
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D029421:Cactaceae / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed