Post Traumatic Intra Orbital Encephalocele, a Rare Cause of Pulsating Orbit: Case Report

Abstract

Orbital trauma is a prevalent condition in clinical practice, particularly in situations of head trauma. Orbital roof fractures following a blunt trauma are an uncommon consequence of trauma. Traumatic encephaloceles in the orbital cavity are much more uncommon, with only a few examples reported to date. Early detection and therapy of raised intraorbital pressure can avoid irreparable optic nerve injury. In trauma patients with concomitant orbital injuries, orbital computed tomography (CT) with thin axial and coronal slices is beneficial. Decompression of the orbital roof is the most important stage in surgical therapy and should be done in all cases. We report the case of an adult with a post-traumatic orbital encephalocele. A few hours after a road traffic accident with head injury, the patient developed progressive pulsatile enophtalmosis. Computed tomography revealed multiple fractures of the orbital rim with herniation of the left frontal lobe into the orbit.