Association between preoperative inferior rectus muscle swelling and outcomes in orbital blowout fracture

Abstract

Purpose: In 18 patients with orbital blowout fracture who underwent reconstruction using a bone autograft, the association between preoperative inferior rectus muscle swelling and the outcome 1 year after the operation was evaluated.

Material and methods: The patients were classified according to outcomes into four groups: Group A without double vision showing normal ocular movements, Group B with double vision showing normal ocular movements, Group C with double vision showing improvement in ocular movements, and Group D with double vision showing no improvement in ocular movements. Inferior rectus muscle swelling was evaluated by calculating its swelling rate on the injured compared with the non-injured side on preoperative coronal CT images.

Results: Concerning outcomes, 12, 2, and 4 patients were classified as Groups A, B, and C, respectively, and no patient was classified as Group D. The inferior rectus muscle swelling rate was ≤1.2 in Group A, and 1.6-2.4 in Groups B and C.

Conclusion: In patients in whom inferior rectus muscle swelling on the injured is ≥1.6 times that on the non-injured side on preoperative coronal CT images, double vision and slight impairment of eye movements may remain after surgery.