INTRAORBITAL WOOD FOREIGN-BODY

It is frequently difficult to identify and localize organic intraorbit al foreign bodies despite modern day high-resolution imaging studies. Although there can be grave complications associated with retention of organic intraorbital foreign bodies, many believe that removal of suc h bodies in most cases is unwarranted. A high clinical suspicion, prop er choice of imaging studies, and removal by a skilled orbital surgeon probably make the risk of surgical exploration and foreign body remov al less than the risk of foreign body retention. We present a case of an intraorbital wood foreign body that required two separate explorati ons for retrieval. An initial intraconal exploration failed to locate the foreign body. Although the clinical suspicion was high, the imagin g studies were equivocal, complicating the management. A second explor ation yielded a large intraorbital wooden foreign body in the inferior extraconal space, The patient fully recovered and regained visual acu ity of 20/20. The evaluation of such patients and details of managemen t strategy are discussed.