Posttraumatic arteriovenous fistula of the orbit: a rare differential diagnosis of an orbital complication

We report the rare case of a posttraumatic intraorbital fistula. The patient was referred to our clinic with a suspected complication of acute sinusitis. The patient reported recurrent swelling of the eyelid with a temporal fluctuation during the day. Eyesight was normal. In the presence of acute rhinogenic infection, computer tomography of the paranasal sinuses demonstrated a shadow on the ethmoid bone and ipsilateral maxillary sinus. Clinical investigation and laboratory parameters excluded an infection. A kick to the head by a horse could be documented on patient interview. By means of angio-MRI an arteriovenous fistula of the orbit could be diagnosed.