Orbital floor implant migration across the ethmoidal sinuses and nasal septum

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology 1998-12, Vol.126 (6), p.848-850
• Main Authors: Massaro-Giordano, Mina, Kirschner, Ronald A., Wulc, Allan E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Ethmoid Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Ethmoid Sinus - surgery; Female; Foreign-Body Migration - diagnostic imaging; Foreign-Body Migration - etiology; Foreign-Body Migration - surgery; Humans; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nasal Septum - diagnostic imaging; Nasal Septum - surgery; Orbital Fractures - surgery; Orthopedic surgery; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - etiology; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - surgery; Prostheses and Implants - adverse effects; Silicone Elastomers; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9394(98)00239-6

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of orbital floor implant migration across the ethmoidal sinuses and nasal septum. METHOD: Case report. A 61-year-old woman with a history of right orbital floor fracture repair 25 years earlier is described. RESULTS: The patient presented with sinus congestion and difficulty breathing through the right nostril. Computed tomographic scan disclosed medial migration of the right orbital floor implant across the ethmoidal sinuses and nasal septum. The patient underwent transorbital and transnasal endoscopic surgery with removal of the implant. CONCLUSIONS: When an alloplastic orbital floor implant is required, size and fixation of the implant are important. Late paranasal sinus or nasal airway problems may be sequelae, and the possibility of implant migration should be considered.