Computed Tomography Diagnostic Abilities for Open-Globe Injuries in Pediatric Versus Adult Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of open-globe trauma and intraocular foreign body (IOFB) in pediatric and adult age groups.

METHODS: Medical records of cases with open-globe trauma at Inonu University Hospital's Ophthalmology Emergency Service were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative orbital CT images of the cases obtained at emergency services and their clinical and/or surgical findings were compared in pediatric and adult groups.

RESULTS: We included 47 eyes of 47 cases aged 18 years and below (pediatric group) and 85 eyes of 82 cases over 18 years (adult group). The mean ± SD age was 10.80 ± 5.11 years (range, 2-18 years) in the pediatric group and 46.34 ± 19.01 years (range, 19-82 years) in the adult group. Computed tomography images revealed 21.7% of the cases with corneal lacerations, 55.5% with scleral lacerations, and 91.6% with corneoscleral lacerations in the pediatric group, whereas the respective numbers were 48.4%, 66.6%, and 61.9% in the adult group. The detection rates of corneal penetrations and vitreous hemorrhage with CT were significantly lower in the pediatric group than in the adult group (P < 0.05). The CT scans diagnosed 66.6% of the pediatric cases and 90% of the adult cases with an IOFB.

CONCLUSIONS: Corneal lacerations and IOFBs can be missed, especially in the pediatric group, because the eye is smaller in adults. Pediatric patients with a history of ocular trauma should undergo an examination under general anesthesia followed by surgical exploration if necessary.