Transnasal, Transethmoidal Endoscopic Removal of a Foreign Body in the Medial Extraconal Orbital Space

• Main Authors: Diego Escobar Montatixe, José Miguel Villacampa Aubá, Álvaro Sánchez Barrueco, Beatriz Sobrino Guijarro, Carlos Cenjor Español
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2016-01-01
• Series: Case Reports in Otolaryngology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1981456

Intraorbital foreign bodies are located within the orbit but outside the ocular globe. Though not uncommon, removal of these objects poses a challenge for surgeons. External approaches have been the most frequently used but are associated with increased complications and morbidity. An endoscopic endonasal approach can be an appropriate and less complicated technique in these cases. We report a case of a chronic intraorbital foreign body located within the medial extraconal space lateral to the lamina papyracea and behind the lacrimonasal duct, which was successfully removed using a transnasal, transethmoidal endoscopic technique. Neither postoperative complications nor ocular impairment was reported. The patient improved and remains asymptomatic. The transnasal transethmoidal endoscopic approach can be used as a safer and less invasive alternative when removing foreign bodies from the medial orbital compartment.