The surgical strategies and techniques of transorbital nonmissile brain injury

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to summarize the experience with the management of transorbital brain injury (TOBI) at our institution that may help inform surgical decision-making.

Methods: Four adults with TOBIs were admitted to our hospital and received surgical treatment. The patients’ clinical manifestations, physical findings, imaging data, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcome were prospectively collected and subject to retrospective analysis.

Results: All patients were male. In 2 patients, the entry point of the cranium was the superior orbital fissure, whereas in the other 2, the entry point was the orbital roof. Thorough physical examination and comprehensive diagnostic imaging were performed preoperatively in all patients for careful assessment of the foreign body and its surrounding important structures. In collaboration with our multidisciplinary trauma team, individualized surgeries were successfully designed and performed in the 4 patients to remove the foreign bodies along the path of their trajectories. Three patients had uneventful postoperative courses, whereas 1 patient died because of severe cerebral ischemia and refractory brain swelling after decompressive craniectomy.

Conclusions: A comprehensive understanding of the regional anatomy of the trajectory is the cornerstone for surgical management of TOBIs. Adequate preoperative imaging examinations are essential for the evaluation of surgical risks and for making a tailored management strategy. Early surgical exploration through multidisciplinary collaboration is highly recommended for achieving a favorable outcome.