Inferior rectus rupture following blowout fracture.

BACKGROUND

Extra-ocular muscle rupture is uncommon, usually seen after penetrating trauma or surgery. It is a very rare cause of diplopia following blunt orbital trauma.

METHODS

A patient who presented with no inferior rectus function after blunt orbital trauma is described.

RESULTS

Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated a large orbital floor fracture and suggested that the inferior rectus muscle was ruptured. This was confirmed at operation. Despite anatomical repair, there was no postoperative improvement in ocular motility.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic rupture of the inferior rectus is rare. Forced duction and force generation testing and CT are important in diagnosing ocular motility defects following orbital trauma.