Unusual orbital foreign bodies.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features of patients with unusual orbital foreign bodies.

METHODS

The clinical histories, preoperative photographs, imaging studies, and surgical pathologic findings of five patients with unusual orbital foreign bodies are presented. Additionally, published reports pertaining to similar cases were reviewed.

RESULTS

The five patients treated by the authors had good outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

An orbital foreign body may be overlooked because a small penetrating wound may be accompanied by minimal or no signs of inflammation early in the clinical course. A careful history and physical examination, imaging studies, and a strong suspicion are helpful for establishing the diagnosis of an orbital foreign body.