Traumatic optic neuropathy in orbital wall fractures- diagnostic parameters and treatment outcomes: A prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the associated patterns of orbital wall fractures, diagnostic parameters of Traumatic optic neuropathy and its progress with Mega dose steroid therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 patients with unilateral orbital wall fractures of traumatic aetiology were evaluated with ophthalmologic and radiographic parameters. All patients were prescribed Mega Dose Intravenous steroids irrespective of the timing of presentation. Ophthalmic assessment was repeated for same parameters every alternate day upto 2 weeks. RESULTS: Lateral orbital wall was found to be most commonly involved. Visual acuity, Pupillary Reactivity, Visual Field and Visual Evoked Potential showed statistically significant improvement post steroid therapy in early as well as late presenters. DISCUSSION: Highest incidence of Traumatic optic neuropathy was noted in multiple linear orbital wall fractures with highest incidence with lateral orbital wall involvement. Literature regarding Choice and timing of initiation of steroids based on timing of presentation is inadequate to justify skipping steroids to observe or undertake surgical intervention. In the present study marked improvement was noted post steroid therapy regardless of timing of presentation. The authors conclude that Visual evoked potential should be objectively tested and Mega dose steroid therapy should be initiated for all patients with Traumatic optic neuropathy for maximum benefit to the patient.

The Incidence of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy Associated With Subtypes of Orbital Wall Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a rare disease but leaves critical sequelae to patient. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of TON in each orbital wall fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 2629 patients with orbital wall fracture was performed in from January 2010 to March 2019, based on diagnostic code, Korean Standard Classification of Diseases, 7th Revision. The orbital wall fractures were divided into 4 subtypes: superior, medial, inferior, and lateral wall. Incidence of TON is analyzed according to subtypes, single and multiple wall fracture. RESULTS: Among 2629 patients with orbital wall fractures, 27 patients were diagnosed with TON with an incidence of 1.02%. In single wall fracture, only lateral wall showed significantly high TON incidence, which only zygomatic fracture was included in single lateral wall fracture. In multiple wall fracture, it was statistically significant in the superior wall. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture on lateral and superior orbital wall showed a tendency to increase the incidence of TON. Based on the above results, radiologic evaluation and physical examination is necessary for patient who has lateral and superior orbital wall fracture.

Surgical Treatment and Visual Outcomes of Adult Orbital Roof Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the orbital roof require high-energy trauma and have been linked to high rates of neurologic and ocular complications. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring the association between injury, management, and visual prognosis. METHODS: The authors performed a 3-year retrospective review of orbital roof fracture admissions to a Level I trauma center. Fracture displacement, comminution, and frontobasal type were ascertained from computed tomographic images. Pretreatment characteristics of operative orbital roof fractures were compared to those of nonoperative fractures. Risk factors for ophthalmologic complications were assessed using univariable/multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: In total, 225 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Fractures were most commonly nondisplaced [n = 118 (52.4 percent)] and/or of type II frontobasal pattern (linear vault involving) [n = 100 (48.5 percent)]. Eight patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation of their orbital roof fractures (14.0 percent of displaced fractures). All repairs took place within 10 days from injury. Traumatic optic neuropathy [n = 19 (12.3 percent)] and retrobulbar hematoma [n = 11 (7.1 percent)] were the most common ophthalmologic complications, and led to long-term visual impairment in 51.6 percent of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most orbital roof fractures can be managed conservatively, with no patients in this cohort incurring long-term fracture-related complications or returning for secondary treatment. Early fracture treatment is safe and may be beneficial in patients with vertical dysmotility, globe malposition, and/or a defect surface area larger than 4 cm2. Ophthalmologic prognosis is generally favorable; however, traumatic optic neuropathy is major cause of worse visual outcome in this population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Damage to the eye and optic nerve in seriously traumatized patients with concomitant head injury: analysis of 84,627 cases from the TraumaRegister DGU® between 2002 and 2015.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of prechiasmatic visual system injuries (VSI) among seriously injured patients with concomitant head trauma in Europe by means of a multinational trauma registry. METHODS: The TraumaRegister DGU® was searched for patients suffering from serious trauma with a Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3 between 2002 and 2015 in Europe. After excluding cases without significant head injury defined by an AIS ≥ 2, groups were built regarding the existence of a concomitant damage to the prechiasmatic optic system comprising globe and optic nerve. Group comparisons were performed with respect to demographic, etiological, clinical and outcome characteristics. RESULTS: 2.2% (1901/84,627) of seriously injured patients with concomitant head trauma presented with additional VSI. These subjects tended to be younger (mean age 44.7 versus 50.9 years) and were more likely of male gender (74.8% versus 70.0%) compared to their counterparts without VSI. The most frequent trauma etiologies were car accidents in VSI patients (28.5%) and falls in the control group (43.2%). VSI cases were prone to additional soft tissue trauma of the head, skull and orbit fractures as well as pneumocephalus. Primary treatment duration was significantly longer in the VSI cohort (mean 23.3 versus 20.5 days) along with higher treatment costs and a larger proportion of patients with moderate or severe impairment at hospital discharge despite there being a similar average injury severity at admission in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of patients with head injury suffers from additional VSI. The correlation between VSI and prolonged hospitalization, increased direct treatment expenditures, and having a higher probability of posttraumatic impairment demonstrates the substantial socioeconomic relevance of these types of injuries.

Stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of parasellar meningiomas: long-term volumetric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE Parasellar meningiomas tend to invade the suprasellar, cavernous sinus, and petroclival regions, encroaching on adjacent neurovascular structures. As such, they prove difficult to safely and completely resect. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has played a central role in the treatment of parasellar meningiomas. Evaluation of tumor control rates at this location using simplified single-dimension measurements may prove misleading. The authors report the influence of SRS treatment parameters and the timing and volumetric changes of benign WHO Grade I parasellar meningiomas after SRS on long-term outcome. METHODS Patients with WHO Grade I parasellar meningiomas treated with single-session SRS and a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were selected. A total of 189 patients (22.2% males, n = 42) form the cohort. The median patient age was 54 years (range 19-88 years). SRS was performed as a primary upfront treatment for 44.4% (n = 84) of patients. Most (41.8%, n = 79) patients had undergone 1 resection prior to SRS. The median tumor volume at the time of SRS was 5.6 cm3 (0.2-54.8 cm3). The median margin dose was 14 Gy (range 5-35 Gy). The volumes of the parasellar meningioma were determined on follow-up scans, computed by segmenting the meningioma on a slice-by-slice basis with numerical integration using the trapezoidal rule. RESULTS The median follow-up was 71 months (range 6-298 months). Tumor volume control was achieved in 91.5% (n = 173). Tumor progression was documented in 8.5% (n = 16), equally divided among infield recurrences (4.2%, n = 8) and out-of-field recurrences (4.2%, n = 8). Post-SRS, new or worsening CN deficits were observed in 54 instances, of which 19 involved trigeminal nerve dysfunction and were 18 related to optic nerve dysfunction. Of these, 90.7% (n = 49) were due to tumor progression and only 9.3% (n = 5) were attributable to SRS. Overall, this translates to a 2.64% (n = 5/189) incidence of direct SRS-related complications. These patients were treated with repeat SRS (6.3%, n = 12), repeat resection (2.1%, n = 4), or both (3.2%, n = 6). For patients treated with a margin dose ≥ 16 Gy, the 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 15-year actuarial progression-free survival rates are 100%, 100%, 95.7%, 95.7%, 95.7%, 95.7%, and 95.7%, respectively. Patients treated with a margin dose < 16 Gy, had 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 15-year actuarial progression-free survival rates of 99.4%, 97.7%, 95.1%, 88.1%, 82.1%, 79.4%, and 79.4%, respectively. This difference was deemed statistically significant (p = 0.043). Reviewing the volumetric patient-specific measurements, the early follow-up volumetric measurements (at the 3-year follow-up) reliably predicted long-term volume changes and tumor volume control (at the 10-year follow-up) (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS SRS is a durable and minimally invasive treatment modality for benign parasellar meningiomas. SRS offers high rates of growth control with a low incidence of neurological deficits compared with other treatment modalities for meningiomas in this region. Volumetric regression or stability during short-term follow-up of 3 years after SRS was shown to be predictive of long-term tumor control.

Incidence of optic canal fracture in the traumatic optic neuropathy and its effect on the visual outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the intraoperative endoscopic findings with high-resolution CT (HRCT) for the diagnosis of optic canal fractures (OCF). To compare the visual outcome of patients with different types of OCF and without. DESIGN: A retrospective, comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: 1275 consecutive patients (1275 eyes) with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). METHODS: Altogether, 1275 patients who underwent endoscopic transethmoid optic canal decompression (ETOCD) for unilateral indirect TON were reviewed from 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2014. HRCT performed prior to surgery were compared with findings during surgery. The visual outcomes before and after surgery were also compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The presence and type of OCF detected by HRCT and during surgery; visual acuity prior to surgery and at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1275 patients (1275 eyes) were included, with 708 patients that had OCF visible on HRCT image. During surgery, an additional 187 (20.9%) patients with OCF were noticed. Among these, 136 had undisplaced fractures, most of which were linear intracanalicular fractures. The initial visual acuity of patients with OCF was worse than that of patients without OCF (p<0.01). However, no statistical difference existed in the final visual acuity at 3 months after surgery (>0.05). Significant statistical difference of surgical efficacy existed between all the patients with OCF and without OCF (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with OCF, 20.9% were not detected by HRCT. Patients with OCF had a worse initial visual acuity than those without OCF. There was no significant difference in final visual acuity after ETOCD.

Traumatic optic neuropathy prediction after blunt facial trauma: derivation of a risk score based on facial CT findings at admission.

PURPOSE: To determine the specific facial computed tomographic (CT) findings that can be used to predict traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) in patients with blunt craniofacial trauma and propose a scoring system to identify patients at highest risk of TON. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was compliant with HIPAA, and permission was obtained from the institutional review board. Facial CT examination findings in 637 consecutive patients with a history of blunt facial trauma were evaluated retrospectively. The following CT variables were evaluated: midfacial fractures, extraconal hematoma, intraconal hematoma, hematoma along the optic nerve, hematoma along the posterior globe, optic canal fracture, nerve impingement by optic canal fracture fragment, extraconal emphysema, and intraconal emphysema. A prediction model was derived by using regression analysis, followed by receiver operating characteristic analysis to assess the diagnostic performance. To examine the degree of overfitting of the prediction model, a k-fold cross-validation procedure (k = 5) was performed. The ability of the cross-validated model to allow prediction of TON was examined by comparing the mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) from cross-validations with that obtained from the observations used to create the model. RESULTS: The five CT variables with significance as predictors were intraconal hematoma (odds ratio, 12.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.16, 31.42; P < .001), intraconal emphysema (odds ratio, 5.21; 95% CI: 2.03, 13.36; P = .001), optic canal fracture (odds ratio, 4.45; 95% CI: 1.91, 10.35; P = .001), hematoma along the posterior globe (odds ratio, 0.326; 95% CI: 0.111, 0.958; P = .041), and extraconal hematoma (odds ratio, 2.36; 95% CI: 1.03, 5.41; P = .042). The AUC was 0.818 (95% CI: 0.734, 0.902) for the proposed model based on the observations used to create the model and 0.812 (95% CI: 0.723, 0.9) after cross-validation, excluding substantial overfitting of the model. CONCLUSION: The risk model developed may help radiologists suggest the possibility of TON and prioritize ophthalmology consults. However, future external validation of this prediction model is necessary.

A 2-year prospective surveillance of pediatric traumatic optic neuropathy in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: To report epidemiologic data on traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) in patients less than 18 years of age in the United Kingdom acquired by prospective population-based active surveillance through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. METHODS: Data were obtained from incident and 6-month follow-up questionnaires sent to reporting ophthalmologists over a period of 2 years. Main outcome measures were demographic data, clinical and visual function at presentation and follow-up, investigations, and treatments used. RESULTS: A total of 26 cases (21 males) were identified; follow-up data were available for 23 (88%). Minimum estimated annual incidence was 0.99 cases per million. Leading causes of TON included 6 sports injuries (23%), 5 falls (19%), and 4 traffic accidents (16%). Presenting best-corrected visual acuity was ≤ 6/60 in 15 cases (58%), with no light perception in 7 cases (27%). Associated injuries were as follows: nonpenetrating injuries, 8 (31%); adnexal injuries, 3 (11.5%); orbital fractures, 5 (19%); skull fractures, 3 (12%); intracranial bleeding, 1 (4%). Fourteen (54%) received no treatment, and 9 (35%) were treated with steroids. Final visual acuity improved in 7 of 21 patients (33%), with 13 of 23 (56%) achieving final visual acuity ≤ 6/60, 10 of whom (43%) had no light perception. Baseline visual acuity was associated with last follow-up visual acuity (P = 0.03), but treatment and improvement of visual acuity by at least 3 lines were not associated. Treatment was more common in children with poor presenting vision (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, natural history, poor presenting visual acuity, and male prevalence of TON in children appear similar to adults in adults in the UK.

Five-year follow-up of parapapillary atrophy: the Beijing Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess longitudinal changes in parapapillary atrophy in the adult population of Greater Beijing. METHODS: The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2006 included 3251 subjects who had participated in the Beijing Eye Study 2001 and returned for re-examination. The mean age was 60.4 ± 10.1 years. Using optic disc photographs, we measured parapapillary atrophy which was divided into alpha zone and beta zone. RESULTS: Overall progression rate of alpha zone was seen in 0.6 ± 0.1% (95% confidence interval (CI):0.3,0.9) of the subjects and of beta zone in 8.2 ± 0.5% (95%CI:7.2,9.1) of the subjects. In binary regression analysis, rate of progression of alpha zone was significantly associated higher age (P = 0.04) and the co-progression of zone Beta (P<0.001). Rate of progression of beta zone was significantly associated with higher age (P<0.001; odds ratio (OR):1.11;95%CI:1.10,1.14), higher intraocular pressure (P<0.001;OR:1.10;95%CI:1.05,1.14), higher myopic refractive error (P<0.001;OR:0.71; 95%CI:0.67,0.75), rural region of habitation (P = 0.002;OR: 0.58; 95%CI:0.41,0.82), presence of glaucomatous optic nerve damage (P<0.001;OR:2.89; 95%CI:1.62,5.14), co-progression of alpha zone (P<0.001;OR:7.13;95%CI:2.43,20.9), absence of arterial hypertension (P = 0.03;OR: 0.70; 95%CI:0.51,0.96), and thicker central corneal thickness (P = 0.02;OR:1.01;95%CI:1.00,1.01). Subjects with a non-glaucomatous optic nerve damage (n = 22) as compared to the remaining subjects did not vary in the progression rate of alpha zone (0.0% versus 0.6 ± 0.1%; P = 1.0) and beta zone (8.2 ± 0.5% versus 6.3 ± 0.6%;P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: In adult Chinese in Greater Beijing, the 5-year progression rate of beta zone of parapapillary atrophy (seen in 8.2 ± 0.5% of subjects) was significantly correlated with higher age, rural region of habitation, absence of arterial hypertension, higher intraocular pressure, higher myopic refractive error, thicker central corneal thickness, and presence of glaucoma. It was not associated with non-glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Epidemiological trends of traumatic optic nerve injuries in the largest Canadian adult trauma center.

BACKGROUND: There has been a paucity of information on the epidemiology of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). This study documents epidemiology of TON over 2 decades in the largest level I adult trauma center in Canada. METHODS: Data on all the trauma patients admitted to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre from 1986 to 2007 were collected in a prospective database. The aggregate data on optic nerve injuries including demographic data, etiology, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and associated head and facial injuries were recorded. These were analyzed using univariate and multivariate techniques to summarize the association of different variables with TON. RESULTS: During the study period, 0.4% of all trauma patients had TON. The respective demographics for TON group were as follows: male, 76%; median for age, 33.5 years; length of hospital stay, 14 days; ISS, 32; and case fatality, 14%. About two thirds of patients with TON had associated significant head injuries. Conversely, 2.3% of patients with head injury had TON. The relative incidence of TON per year has remained variable from 0% to 1.2%. Motorized vehicle accidents remained the main etiology of TON (63%), but fall had the highest relative frequency leading to TON. In univariate analysis, both ISS and significant head injury were associated with TON. In multivariate analysis, TON was associated with only nasoethmoid complex fractures and significant head injury. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide useful information on the frequency and etiologies of TON. It also highlights the importance of studies on better diagnostic tools for TON.

Traumatic optic neuropathy: an evolving understanding.

PURPOSE: To critically review the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy. DESIGN: A perspective of clinical and basic science studies related to traumatic optic neuropathy and its treatment. METHODS: Published clinical and basic science studies on traumatic optic neuropathy were critically reviewed and interpreted. RESULTS: Clinical progress in the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy is limited by small clinical studies lacking appropriate control groups. The Corticosteroid Randomization for Acute Head Trauma (CRASH) trial found an increased rate of death among patients with acute head trauma treated with high-dose corticosteroids compared to placebo-treated patients (21% vs 18%, P = .0001). Recent animal studies also suggest that high-dose corticosteroids are toxic to the injured optic nerve. CONCLUSIONS: The Corticosteroid Randomization for Acute Head Trauma study is immediately relevant to the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy as individuals with traumatic optic neuropathy often have concomitant head trauma. High-dose corticosteroids for traumatic optic neuropathy will result in a measurable loss of life in patients who also have a brain injury. Death has never been an endpoint for traumatic optic neuropathy studies. Given human and animal data suggesting that treatment is harmful and the lack of demonstrated clinical efficacy, corticosteroids should not be used to treat traumatic optic neuropathy. The benefit of optic canal decompression is also unclear. There is a need to identify traumatic optic neuropathy soon after injury to further define the natural history of this injury. This information will provide a basis for assessing potential future treatments for traumatic optic neuropathy.

Trauma to the intracranial internal carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: : A 4-year retrospective review of injury to the intracranial internal carotid artery at the skull base was undertaken to assess the impact of the injuries and their consequence in both the adult and the pediatric population. METHODS: : The trauma registry followed by confirmatory chart reviews provided the total number of admissions, the mode of injury, demographics, and subdivided the trauma patients into the different groupings used in this study. RESULTS: : In our series, traumatic damage to the intracranial internal carotid artery represented 1.495% of all facial trauma seen during a 4-year period at a Level I Trauma Center. Of the 10 patients seen with injury to the intracranial internal carotid artery at the siphon, 3 were pediatric patents, and all of these ended with permanent neurologic deficits. Adults fared better, exhibiting either no neurologic symptoms or transient neurologic symptoms that resolved over time. The exception was a patient who expired in the Emergency Center from a clival fracture involving transaction of both intracranial internal carotid arteries. CONCLUSIONS: : Traumatic damage to the intracranial internal carotid artery is a rare event fraught with the difficulty of early diagnosis in the midst of major life-threatening multiorgan trauma. Within the different age groups, adults fared better than children.

Exposure of the eyes to near-horizon sunshine may be a trigger for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence is higher among those who live at high latitudes before adulthood. This is usually attributed to lower levels of Vitamin D, caused by lower UV levels. However direct damage of the optic nerve by near-horizon sunshine is a possible alternative explanation. METHOD: Historical reports of MS from European populations in well characterised geographic locations where the numbers of cases and the target population were reported were collected, and the distribution of MS prevalence was calculated. Total UV, visible and infra-red exposure over a year as a function of latitude, and the fraction of time the Sun spends near the horizon as a function of latitude were calculated from geometric considerations, and were compared with the observed prevalence of MS. RESULTS: The observed distribution of MS prevalence fits well with the relative time that the Sun spends within 3 degrees and 8 degrees of the horizon, as calculated geometrically and summed over a year. Correlation with total UV exposure (without consideration of weather or shielding by clothing or buildings) was less satisfactory. CONCLUSION: I suggest that direct solar damage to the optic nerve may be a trigger for MS.

Surveillance of traumatic optic neuropathy in the UK.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to provide epidemiological data on the incidence, aetiology, management, and visual outcome in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) in the UK. METHODS: Patients with TON were identified prospectively by population-based active surveillance through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit over a 2-year period with data obtained from an incident questionnaire and follow-up questionnaire sent to positive reporters. RESULTS: Incident and follow-up data were available on 121 and 97 (80%) patients, respectively. The minimum estimated incidence was 1.005 per million. Leading causes included falls (25.6%), road traffic accidents (RTAs) (21.5%), and assaults (20.7%). The median age was 31 years. There were 95 (78.5%) men. Presenting visual acuity (VA) was 6/60 or worse in 85 (70%) patients, with 43 patients (36%) with no perception of light. Associated injuries included 47 (39%) orbital wall fractures, 37 (31%) closed globe injuries, 23 (19%) ocular adnexal injuries, 23 (19%) skull fractures, and 18 (16%) intracranial bleeding. Sixty-five percent (75/116) received no acute treatment and 35% (41/116) received steroids and/or surgery. Of the treated group, 24% (8/33) and of the untreated group 20% (11/56) improved three lines or more of VA (P=0.61). Prompt ophthalmic examination (P=0.002), orbital fracture (P=0.046), high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (P=0.023), and poor initial VA (P=0.009) were associated with increased likelihood of treatment. Poor initial VA (P<0.001), orbital fracture (P=0.004), and significant head injury (P=0.038) were associated with poor visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that young men were at greatest risk of TON. We detected a trend towards conservative management of this condition in the UK. TON was associated with significant ocular, orbital, and head injuries that highlighted the need for multidisciplinary management.

Giant olfactory groove meningioma: ophthalmological and cognitive outcome after bifrontal microsurgical approach.

OBJECT: Olfactory groove meningiomas arise in the midline along the dura of the cribriform plate and may reach a large size before producing symptoms. We conducted a retrospective study of patients with these lesions focused on pre- and post-operative investigations for ophthalmological, personality and cognitive disturbances. METHODS: The authors reviewed 36 patients with giant olfactory groove meningiomas surgically treated via a bifrontal approach. Ophthalmological evaluation included visual acuity, fundoscopy and visual fields while psychological evaluation included a Mini-Mental State Examination. Data was collected before, 1 and 12 months after surgery. Formal pre- and post-operative ophthalmological examinations discovered visual deficits in 55.5% of the patients. Within the first month after surgery, improvement of visual acuity and of visual field deficits was observed. In post-operative neuropsychological testing, higher mental functions showed improvement. The most frequent post-operative complication was persistent rhinorrhoea in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results at longest follow up indicate that cognitive changes and visual deficits will improve in patients with giant olfactory groove meningiomas after a bifrontal approach, without additional neurological deficits.

[Rupture of the choroid after eyeball contusion--an analysis based on the Erlangen Ocular Contusion Registry (EOCR)]. / Aderhautruptur nach Bulbuskontusion -- eine Analyse anhand des Erlanger Okulären Contusions-Registers (EOCR).

BACKGROUND: Ocular injuries may lead to severe damage of the posterior segment with manifest visual impairment. Choroidal ruptures are frequently masked by acute subretinal haemorrhage. We analysed possible predictive factors and functional results of eyeballs with rupture of the choroid after ocular contusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 376 consecutive inpatients (Erlangen Ocular Contusion Registry - EOCR, over a 10-year period), who were treated because of a blunt eye injury at our eye hospital (86 % males). Detailed notes regarding the anterior and posterior segments were extracted from the standardised charts. Mean age was 28.8 +/- 16.1 years (4 to 84 years). Eyes with previous trauma or globe ruptures were excluded. RESULTS: Twenty-six of 376 patients developed choroidal rupture due to ocular contusion (6.9 %). A choroidal rupture was more frequent in females (9.4 %) than in males (6.5 %). Patients with choroidal rupture were treated as inpatients 5 days longer than patients without (10.7 vs. 5.5 days; p < 0.001). Twenty-two percent of the injuries occurred during work time. Main causes of choroidal ruptures were water jet (19 %), fireworks (12 %), elastic cords (12 %), metal pieces (12 %), gotcha (8 %) and champagne corks (8 %). The risk for developing a choroidal rupture due to water jet or fireworks injuries was increased 9 or 4 times. Ninety-two percent of choroidal ruptures were located at the posterior pole and concentric, 40 % were submacular, 12 % outside the large temporal vessels (4 % were located both centrally and peripherally). Initial visual acuity (VA) and VA at discharge were decreased significantly in eyes with rupture of the choroid (20/200 and 20/60) in contrast to eyes without (20/40 and 20/25; p < 0.001). Choroidal ruptures were often associated with iridodialysis, lens dislocation and contusion cataract (3 x ), vitreous haemorrhage (4 x ), complete retinal defects (6 x ), ciliary body clefts (7 x ) or hyphema rebleeding (4 x ). No association between the height of hyphema and choroidal ruptures was found. The predictive level of choroidal ruptures was 40 % in eyes with a combination of lens dislocation, traumatic cataract and vitreous bleeding. The final VA was 20/200 or less in 11 eyes associated with a prevalence of 55 % of ruptures submacularly. In contrast to this, eyes with VA > 20/200 developed 26 % submacular choroidal ruptures. CONCLUSIONS: Additional severe traumatic changes of the anterior and posterior segment were found 2 - 7 times more frequently in eyes with choroidal ruptures compared to eyes without those ruptures. The visual improvement was limited due to submacular ruptures. Frequent ophthalmological controls are recommended to minimise the risk of choroidal neovascularisation in a submacular location.