Ocular Trauma · Blunt trauma

Black/Racoon eyes

The 'Raccoon sign' comprises unilateral or bilateral progressive periorbital ecchymosis associated with edema. It is also referred to as the 'raccoon eyes' and the 'panda sign.' The pooling of blood around the eyes is most commonly associated with fractures of the base of the anterior cranial fossa. This finding is not observed immediately following the injury and is typically delayed by 1 to 3 days. If it presents bilaterally, this finding is highly predictive of an anterior skull base fracture. This sign is a reliable bedside clinical marker and is usually associated with anterior skull base fractures, along with involvement of the frontal and orbital bones. Thin-cuts computed tomogram skull (less than 5 mm), bone window imaging is needed to identify such fractures in some cases of these cohorts.

Contributed byDr. Mohammed Arif KaderiResident, JNMC, Wardha

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