Management of a large intraorbital wooden foreign body: Case report

Abstract

Background: Intraorbital foreign bodies are a global injury and occur with a frequency of one in six orbital injuries; however, intraorbital wooden foreign bodies are uncommon. Intraorbital wooden foreign bodies predominantly affect the male population with a mean age ranging from 21 to 22 years. The diagnosis of intraorbital wooden foreign bodies depending on their size can be challenging on imaging and if not removed early the risk of infection is high. Case Description: A 23-year-old motorcyclist presented to the ER following a collision with a donkey cart carrying wood 3 h before presentation. Examination revealed an acutely ill-looking man in painful distress with a right supraorbital laceration associated with ipsilateral ptosis and periorbital edema. There was a retained intraorbital wooden foreign body. Computed tomography scan showed evidence of both an intraorbital bone fragment and a wooden foreign body. Surgery was done 3rd day of admission before which vision has declined with only perception to light. Only the wooden foreign body was removed. Evolution was favorable with recovery of vision and improvement of the ptosis. Conclusion: The management of intraorbital wooden foreign bodies demands a multidisciplinary approach after a thorough history, examination, and imaging. Treatment of choice is timely and meticulous removal of the foreign body to avoid infection and other associated complications.