What is superior orbital fissure syndrome?

Superior orbital fissure syndrome

Superior orbital fissure syndrome, also known as Rochon-Duvigneaud's syndrome, is a neurological disorder that results from the superior orbital fissure fracture with the involvement of the cranial nerves that pass through the superior orbital fissure.

Clinical features: 

It may lead to

• Diplopia
• Paralysis of extra-ocular muscles
• Exophthalmos and
• Ptosis

If loss of vision is associated with the above features, then it is called orbital apex syndrome. Means, Orbital apex syndrome= superior orbital fissure syndrome + vision loss (optic nerve involvement)

Additional:

The superior orbital fissure is the gap that connects the cranial cavity with the orbit, bounded,

• Above by the greater wings of the sphenoid
• Below by the lesser wings of the sphenoid
• Medially by the body of the sphenoid and
• Laterally by the frontal bone

 [Image source: atlas of human anatomy 6ed-17]

The Structures passing through the superior orbital fissures are:

• Oculomotor nerve
• Trochlear nerve
• Abducens nerves
• Lacrimal, frontal, and nasociliary branches of the ophthalmic nerve, and
• The superior ophthalmic veins

[Source: Gray's anatomy- 40th Edition; page: 529, 656]