AN UNUSUAL CASE OF A RETAINED FOREIGN BODY IN THE PERIORBITAL AREA.

Abstract

Background:

Foreign object penetrations in the craniofacial region are sometimes reported as a result of occupational or work-related accidents. This can result in serious injuries because of the presence of many fragile anatomical structures in this region.

Case presentation:

A 25-year-old male working as a carpenter faced an accident when a nail gun accidentally shoots resulting in a steel nail impalement in the right side of his face, just missing the eye. His primary physician missed the diagnosis and gave him palliative treatment. For five years, the patient kept visiting different doctors for his symptoms that appeared on and off but were medicated and sent back. After five years of this incident, he visited this hospital where his CT scan was ordered which revealed the presence of a long steel nail that was completely penetrating the right side of the face, crossing the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus to reach the maxillary bone of the left side. Surgery was done for the removal of the nail and debridement of the adjacent tissues was done. The patient was prescribed an antibiotic course.

Conclusion:

This is a rare case because of the time duration for which the foreign body of such a large size was retained in the skull without causing any harmful effects to the neighboring vital structures and without the patient’s knowledge