Blowout fracture

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

A blowout fracture is a fracture of the walls or floor of the orbit. Intraorbital material may be pushed out into one of the paranasal sinuses. This is most commonly caused by blunt trauma of the head, generally personal altercations.

Historical Perspective

The term “blow out fracture” was coined in 1957 by Smith & Regan,^[1] who were investigating injuries to the orbit by placing a hurling ball on cadaverous orbits and striking it with a mallet.

Pathophysiology

The force of a blow to the orbit is dissipated by a fracture of the surrounding bone, usually the orbital floor and/or the medial orbital wall.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Serious consequences of such injury include diplopia on downward gaze if there is damage to the floor of the orbit.

CT

References

↑ “Blowout fracture of the orbit: mechanism and correction of internal orbital fracture. By Byron Smith and William F. Regan, Jr”. Adv Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 6: 197–205. 1987. PMID 3331936.

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[1] “Blowout fracture of the orbit: mechanism and correction of internal orbital fracture. By Byron Smith and William F. Regan, Jr”. Adv Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 6: 197–205. 1987. PMID 3331936.

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