Differential Diagnosis for Periorbital Swelling and Head Injury
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Basilar Skull Fracture with Periorbital Hematoma: This is a common consequence of head injury, where the fracture leads to bleeding into the soft tissues around the eye, causing swelling.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Trauma to the head can cause a rupture of small blood vessels under the conjunctiva, leading to hemorrhage and swelling.
- Periorbital Cellulitis: An infection of the skin and tissues around the eye, which can be a complication of a head injury if the skin is broken.
- Black Eye (Periorbital Hematoma): Direct trauma to the eye or face can cause bleeding into the tissues around the eye, resulting in swelling and discoloration.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis: A potentially life-threatening condition that can occur if an infection spreads from the face to the cavernous sinus, especially in the context of a head injury.
- Retrobulbar Hemorrhage: Bleeding behind the eye can increase pressure on the optic nerve, leading to vision loss if not promptly treated.
- Orbital Fracture: A fracture of the bones surrounding the eye can lead to complications such as entrapment of extraocular muscles, requiring urgent surgical intervention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: An abnormal connection between the carotid artery and cavernous sinus, which can occur after trauma and lead to symptoms including periorbital swelling.
- Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Direct or indirect injury to the optic nerve, which can result in vision loss and may present with periorbital swelling among other symptoms.