Transconjunctival orbital emphysema caused by compressed air injury: A case report

摘要

Orbital emphysema following conjunctival tear in the absenceof orbital wall fracture, caused by air under pressure is rare.Usually orbital emphysema is seen in facial trauma associatedwith damage to the adjacent paranasal sinuses or facial bones.To the best of our knowledge, there have been only eight reportsof orbital emphysema following use of compressed air duringindustrial work. The air under pressure is pushed through thesubconjunctival space into the subcutaneous and retrobulbarspaces. We present here a rare cause of orbital emphysema ina young man working with compressed air gun. Although theemphysema was severe, there were no orbital bone fracture andthe visual recovery of the patient was complete without attendantcomplications.Keywords: Compressed air, conjunctival tear, crepitus, narrow palpebral fissure, orbital emphysema