Orbital blow out fracture - teardrop sign

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Punch to the left eye. Tender.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Teardrop spaced opacity projected over the left maxillary sinus immediately below the inferior orbital wall.

No black eyebrow sign.

 

Case Discussion

The typical plain radiograph appearances of a teardrop sign observed in inferior orbital wall fractures.   This represents intraorbital fat (+/- inferior rectus muscle) which has protruded through an inferior orbital wall fracture.

This type of radiograph may feature in a rapid reporting examination set for the FRCR or other fellow examinations.

 

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