Pattern of clinical presentation in naso-orbiral ethmoid fracture- A cross sectional study

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of clinical presentation in naso-orbiral ethmoid (NOE) complex fracture Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was at Saidu College of Dentistry, Peshawar on 120 patients with NOE complex fractures. The study included patients with NOE fractures under 4 weeks old, aged 5–60 years, of both genders, while excluding those with previously treated fractures, untreated fractures older than 4 weeks, or uncooperative behavior. Data regarding age, gender, etiology, type and pattern of fracture was collected by history, clinical examination and confirmed by radiograph. Chi-square test was used for stratification. Results: The mean age was 29.55 ± 13.87 years with a male predominance (81.7%). RTAs were the leading cause (n=66, 55.0%), followed by falls (n=22, 18.3%). Telecanthus was the most common clinical feature (n=108, 90.0%), followed by diplopia (n=94, 78.3%). Edema and enophthalmos (n=80, 66.7%) were more frequent in males, while diplopia (n=22, 18.3%) was more common in females. Enophthalmos showed a significant gender difference (p = 0.012), with no other patterns significantly associated with age, gender, or etiology. Conclusion: NOE fractures are most common in males under 40, with telecanthus and diplopia being the most frequent clinical presentations. Enophthalmos showed statistically significant differences between genders.