Orbital Emphysema and Orbital Floor Fracture following a Severe and Prolonged Sneezing Attack

Abstract

We present here a rare case of barotraumatic orbital blowout fracture. An 18-year-old man with sudden swelling of the right orbital region after severe and prolonged sneezing attack presented to our emergency department. Computed tomographic examination demonstrated a blowout fracture of the right orbital floor, which led to orbital emphysema and herniation of the orbital soft tissue. He was managed with nasal decongestants, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs and an antibiotic. He developed no visual disturbance subsequently. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2015;22:256-258)