Pathways of orbital extension of extraorbital neoplasms.

Orbital involvement was demonstrated by computed tomography in 53 patients with neoplasms of the head and neck. The pathway of extension into the orbit depended on the histology and location of the tumor. Tumors of the paranasal sinuses and face usually extended through the medial wall, floor, anterior orbit, or the inferior orbital fissure. Intracranial lesions most commonly extended through the posterior lateral wall, but the superior orbital fissure and optic canal were also pathways for orbital extension.