Abstract

APANGA MARMA ABHIGHATA PRESENTING AS TRAUMATIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY: A CASE REPORT BRIDGING AYURVEDIC MARMA VIJNANA AND CONTEMPORARY CRANIOFACIAL TRAUMA

Dr Arathi Devi A.*, Dr. Swapna Kumary M. S. (Ayu.), Ph. D.

Abstract

Apanga marma, described in the Sushruta Samhita as a Sira marma located below the lateral end of the eyebrow and lateral to the outer canthus of the eye on both the sides, is classically stated to cause andhya (blindness) or Drishti abhighata (visual impairment) upon injury.[1] Modern cadaveric and radiological correlation places this vital point over the region of the lateral orbital rim, superior temporal fossa and zygomatic arch - an area traversed by branches of the ophthalmic and middle meningeal vasculature and in close proximity to the intracanalicular optic nerve.[2] The case of a 55-year-old woman who sustained blunt trauma to the right periorbital– zygomatic region after being struck by a bus door, resulting in a right zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture with Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (TON) and post-traumatic labyrinthitis vertigo. The case illustrates a clear anatomical and clinical overlap between the classically described Apanga marma abhigata and a well-recognised modern craniofacial trauma entity and underscores the continued relevance of ancient marma vijnana as an anatomical early-warning in blunt facial trauma.

Keywords: Apanga marma, andhya, vaikalyakara, zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture, blunt orbital trauma.