Wrong site but intact sight

Abstract

Orbital foreign bodies are common. A large metallic foreign body involving ipsilateral orbit into the maxillary sinus is potentially vision-threatening. This case report describes a potentially serious incident involving a 49-year-old man who presented with an injury to his right eye with an iron nail while working in a factory. An iron nail penetrating the infraorbital margin of the right eye extended into the maxillary sinus associated with periorbital edema. X-ray showed a metallic foreign body extending from the right eye infraorbital margin into the maxillary sinus. Under local anesthesia, under all aseptic precautions, a linear iron nail measuring 4.5 cm in length was removed from the right orbit without any evidence of damage to vital structures. This case represents one of the largest reported infraorbital metallic (iron nail) foreign bodies, highlighting its rarity and potential danger to vision and overall health.

Keywords

• infraorbital margin
• maxillary sinus
• metallic foreign body