Nontraumatic orbital hematoma secondary to labor and childbirth: a case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Non-traumatic orbital hemorrhage without underlying vascular malformations or predisposing conditions is uncommon, and particularly rare in the context of maternal labor. This study combines a novel case report and retrospective review to analyze reported cases and propose insights. METHODS: This study is both a unique case report and literature review examining PubMed publications with articles traced back to original sources through citations for inclusion. Analysis included clinical presentation, visual examination, hematoma characteristics, neuroimaging, management strategies, and outcomes. RESULTS: We present a 37-year-old multigravida woman at 40 weeks gestation who developed acute right-sided proptosis, diplopia, retrobulbar pain, and periorbital edema during the second stage of labor. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a subperiosteal hemorrhage, with subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excluding vascular anomalies. Symptoms resolved within two months. Only 14 cases of maternal orbital hematoma associated with labor have been reported. The average age was 28 with 42% (6/14) being primigravid. Including our case, forty percent (6/15) developed symptoms during the second stage of labor, 40% (6/15) immediately postpartum, and 20% (3/15) over 24 hours postpartum. Overall, 33% (5/15) had potentially contributing conditions including coagulopathies, delivery complications, or vascular malformations. Unilateral orbital hemorrhage occurred in 87% (13/15). Surgical intervention was necessary in 13% (2/15). Most (87%, 13/15) underwent observation or medical management with full recovery of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic orbital hematomas associated with maternal labor are rare and likely related to increased valsalva during delivery and heightened blood volume in pregnancy. Neuro-imaging and systemic workup are recommended to assess for vascular anomalies or underlying coagulopathies. The overall prognosis is favorable with most having full recovery.

[Retrobulbar hematoma in endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy]. / Retrobul'barnaya gematoma pri endoskopicheskoi endonazal'noi dakriotsistorinostomii.

Recently, an increase in the number of operations on the lacrimal ducts performed by otorhinolaryngologists has been noted throughout the world. During these operations, intra- and postoperative complications may develop, which require the intervention of an ophthalmologist. A rare complication of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is the development of retrobulbar hemorrhage. This article presents a clinical case of the development of retrobulbar hemorrhage in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The patient with dacryocystitis underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a lack of bone tissue in the lacrimal sac fossa. Severe bleeding was noted during the operation. Against the background of tamponade of the formed anastomosis, a growing exophthalmos, conjunctival chemosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage were noted. After removing the tampon, a positive trend was noted. Dexamethasone solution was intraoperatively intravenously administered, in the postoperative period - methylprednisolone solution. According to computed tomography data, exophthalmos persisted on the first day after the operation, hematoma was localized. Visual functions are unchanged. Six months after the operation, the patient had no complaints. According to the computed tomography data, a functioning dacryorhinostomy anastomosis was determined. Often, an interdisciplinary approach to such complications is required, since it can provide full orbital decompression, as well as adequate postoperative management of the patient, which contributes to the most complete ophthalmic rehabilitation. The interaction of otorhinolaryngologists and ophthalmologists in such cases is an indispensable condition for the safety of the operation.

Orbital Compartment Syndrome: Alternative Tools to Perform a Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis.

Orbital compartment syndrome acutely threatens vision. Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis ameliorate the compartment syndrome and, to save a patient's vision, must be performed in a timely manner. This requires appropriate tools. In resource-poor settings, the straight hemostat and iris scissors that are generally used for this procedure may be unavailable. In such situations, safe alternatives include using a multitool in place of a hemostat and a #11 scalpel blade instead of the iris scissors. As when using hemostats of varying sizes, the pressure applied to the multitool must be carefully modulated. When using a scalpel blade for the lateral canthotomy, the hemostat arm remains beneath the lateral canthus as a "backstop" to protect deeper tissues. For the cantholysis, use the back of the blade to "strum" for the ligaments, reversing its direction only to cut the ligament when it is identified.

Retrobulbar Hematoma in a Patient with Thyroid Eye Disease.

A 37-year-old female with a history of thyroid eye disease presented after trauma to the right side of her face. Visual acuity was light perception and a relative afferent pupillary defect was detected. There was gross proptosis of the unruptured right globe with diffuse conjunctival hemorrhage. Computed tomography revealed an intraconal retrobulbar hematoma (RBH) with anterior herniation of the globe. The extraocular muscles were thickened, consistent with her thyroid eye disease, and her superior rectus was avulsed. The optic nerve was on stretch, but there was no evidence of transection. The patient ultimately underwent enucleation with the plan for an eventual ocular prosthesis. In RBH, blood accumulates in the retrobulbar space and can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure, optic nerve stretch, or mechanical blockage of ocular perfusion. A brief review of RBH is included to emphasize the most important aspects of diagnosis and management of this vision-threatening emergency.

Bulbar conjunctival vascular lesion combined with spontaneous retrobulbar hematoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Orbital hemorrhage can be classified as traumatic or spontaneous depending on its cause. Spontaneous orbital hemorrhage refers to an internal orbital hemorrhage without apparent cause. Therefore, we aimed to describe a case of an orbital hematoma after a severe cough the night before due to inhalation of cooking oil fumes. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a complaint of exophthalmos accompanied with blurred vision, pain, binocular diplopia, and dizziness lasting for 5 h noted on waking in the morning. She also experienced nausea and vomiting due to high pressure of orbit and dizziness. Based on the auxiliary examination and her medical history, the patient was finally diagnosed with bulbar conjunctival vascular lesion combined with spontaneous retrobulbar hematoma. The patient was administered tobramycin and dexamethasone eye ointment, and applied pressure dressing on the left eye to stop the bleeding. Simultaneously, we administered intravenous etamsylate, oral Yunnan Baiyao capsule, intravenous mannitol to reduce orbital pressure, and intravenous dexamethasone injection at 10 mg/dL combined with neurotrophic therapy to reduce tissue edema. Among them, the Yunnan Baiyao capsule is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine to remove stasis and stop bleeding; thus, it promotes blood circulation and relieves pain resulting in reduced edema of the lesion site. The symptoms did not improve significantly during the first 2 d of treatment. We speculate that high orbital pressure and binocular diplopia induced frequent nausea and vomiting in the patient, causing increased pressure on the superior vena cava and leading to repeated orbital bleeding. After the second day, the symptoms started gradually improving. CONCLUSION: This case further emphasizes the importance of comprehensive, detailed medical history and careful ophthalmic examination of the patient.

Doubly Blinded: An Uncommon Cause of Acute Visual Loss Due to Orbital Compartment Syndrome.

A 68-year-old female patient with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation regimen with Apixaban and Clopidogrel presented for her scheduled Watchman device implantation. The device was indicated as patient was high risk for falling. Successful implantation of the left atrial appendage device was carried out, and the patient was sent to the floor. One hour after the procedure, the patient started having left-sided diplopia along with severe eye pain. An immediate CT scan of the head showed left superior orbital mass, concerning for hematoma. Urgent left canthotomy with cantholysis was conducted bedside. However, despite early interventions, the patient's vision was lost.

Procedural Confidence and Usability of a Novel Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis Simulator Compared to a Traditional Porcine Model in Emergency Medicine Training.

INTRODUCTION: Retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) occurs in only 0.45% of ocular trauma, but failure to provide timely lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC) risks permanent visual deficits. With ocular trauma rates as high as 8.5-10% amongst modern combat injuries, and more than 2,000 severe eye injuries documented over a 10 year span, this concern increases.12-15 However, given infrequent RBH occurrence in the non-combat environment, emergency medicine residents trained in stateside settings may not receive adequate LCC exposure prior to military deployment. Simulators should be evaluated for procedural confidence compared to expensive and cumbersome traditional live tissue training (LTT) options. We seek to compare procedural confidence and usability of emergency medicine military residents performing LCC on a novel simulator to those using LTT. METHODS: This study randomized 32 emergency physician and physician assistant residents to perform LCC on a simulator or LTT model. All received a standardized brief on RBH recognition and LCC, then completed an 11-question survey using a 100-mm visual numerical rating scale about their ability to correctly identify RBH and perform LCC. The survey was repeated after LCC completion. All volunteers additionally completed a 10-question survey utilizing a 5-point Likert scale on the usability of the model to which they were randomized. RESULTS: No significant difference in reported confidence changes between groups was found; however, significant increases were found across all reported confidence measures between pre- and post-trainer use in the overall sample population. LCC simulator users reported significantly higher usability in 7 of 10 ratings. CONCLUSION: The lack of a statistically significant difference between groups in procedural confidence suggests artificial LCC simulators may offer an attractive alternative to logistically-complicated porcine models. Further research is needed to evaluate non-inferiority and procedural performance.

Retrobulbar hematoma following the repair of an orbital wall fracture: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Retrobulbar hematoma is a rare complication after the repair of an orbital wall fracture, but the caution is required because the condition can cause blindness. CASE PRESENTATION: In this article, 3 cases of retrobulbar hematoma after the surgical repair of an orbital wall fracture are reported. In the first patient, the permanent loss of vision was involved, while in the second patient, the author was able to prevent loss of vision by performing immediate decompression after definite diagnosis and consulting with an ophthalmologist. In the third patient, there was no surgical treatment involved; he recovered on his own without major sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Retrobulbar hematoma is a very serious condition that can result in blindness. Thus, when it is recognized, every effort should be made to preserve the patient's vision and prevent blindness.

"Trauma to the Eye"-A Low Fidelity Resident Teaching Module for Identifying and Treating a Retrobulbar Hematoma.

Introduction: A retrobulbar hematoma (RH) is a serious time-dependent diagnosis due to its potential for permanent damage of the optic nerve, resulting in blindness. Emergency medicine (EM) physicians face the challenge of recognizing this time-sensitive injury and treating it before irreversible damage occurs. Due to its relative infrequency in the emergency department, residents may not have adequate experience in recognizing and treating RH. Methods: This educational intervention outlined a simulated scenario that we developed to educate EM residents to diagnose RH and perform an emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC). Participating residents were asked to obtain a history and perform a physical examination that was consistent with a 34-year-old patient presenting with pushing behind the eye suggesting RH. Once residents made a diagnosis, they practiced performing an emergent LCC on a low-fidelity task trainer supplemented with a novel checklist. The residents completed an assessment questionnaire before and after the teaching module to measure the educational intervention's effectiveness. Results: Learners' scores significantly improved in the ability to recognize and treat RH (12%, p < .001), in confidence in performing the procedure (18%, p < .001), but did not significantly decrease in stress (-10%, p = .058). The intervention was effective in improving preparedness, with all participants indicating that they felt more prepared to treat RH compared to before the educational intervention. Discussion: This educational intervention is a successful resource that can decrease cases of preventable blindness by improving EM residents' ability to recognize and treat RHs.

A Retrospective Study of the Incidence and Management of Complications Associated With Regional Nerve Blocks in Equine Dental Patients.

Regional anesthesia of the equine head is commonly performed to allow oral extraction of diseased teeth in the standing horse. The use of 4 blocks (infraorbital nerve, maxillary nerve, mental nerve, and mandibular nerve) is well documented for desensitization of dental quadrants for oral surgery for exodontia, but descriptions of associated complications are limited. A total of 270 regional nerve blocks were performed on 162 equine patients in a second opinion referral hospital setting. Criteria for inclusion in the study included a 24-hour stay in hospital, that the blocks be performed by one clinician and at minimum, a 2-week follow-up examination be performed. A total of 8 complications were identified in 7 patients representing a 2.96% incidence of complication. Complications included supraorbital hematoma (3), local hematoma (2), lingual self-trauma (2), and nerve block failure to desensitize (1). Treatment and management of complications are discussed. Complications associated with regional anesthesia may be reduced by reducing anesthetic volumes, precise needle placement, familiarity with the facial anatomy relevant to nerve blocks, adequate restraint, aseptic technique, postprocedural muzzling, and the use of a newly opened bottle of local anesthetic.

Retrobulbar hematoma: A systematic review of factors related to outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Retrobulbar hematoma (RBH), a rare but serious condition, can result in permanent vision loss. Although it is a known complication following trauma or facial fracture reduction, sinus surgery, or blepharoplasty, factors related to patient outcomes are not well-defined. A systematic review was performed to determine the relation of patient/treatment factors to outcomes. METHODS: Articles retrieved from a PubMed search (1989-2017) were reviewed. Demographic information, etiology, symptoms, and final vision outcomes were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests, single and multiple predictor logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 429 articles identified, 16 were included in the study. 93 cases of retrobulbar hematoma were included. 74% occurred after trauma, while 26% occurred postoperatively. Onset of symptoms occurred after approximately 24 hours. 28% received treatment within 1 hour, 54% within 1-24 hours, and 18% after 24 hours. 51% had complete visual recovery, while 27% had partial recovery, and 22% developed blindness. Older patients and patients who sustained trauma were less likely to have a full recovery (p = 0.029, p = 0.023). Increasing number of symptoms trended towards a prediction of blindness (p = 0.092). Surgical decompression and shorter time to treatment were each highly predictive of full recovery (p = 0.024, p = 0.003) and decreased likelihood of blindness (p = 0.037, p = 0.045); use of steroids was not found to be significant. DISCUSSION: Retrobulbar hematoma is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Factors associated with improved outcomes include younger age, decreased number of total symptoms, surgical decompression, and shorter time to treatment. If recognized and treated early with surgical decompression, recovery of vision is possible.

Hematoma orbitario secundario a cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal / Orbital hematoma secondary to endoscopic sinus surgery

Resumen Durante la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal, la sección inadvertida y retracción hacia la órbita de la arteria etmoidal anterior (AEA) es el mecanismo habitual del hematoma orbitario (HO); éste se manifiesta con proptosis, dolor y déficit visual potencialmente irreversible. El déficit visual es secundario a isquemia del nervio óptico por aumento de la presión intraocular, siendo suficientes treinta minutos para que ocurra daño visual permanente. Por sus secuelas el tratamiento del HO debe ser rápido y agresivo. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 72 años con diagnóstico de rinosinusitis crónica con pólipos nasales refractaria a tratamiento médico que se sometió a cirugía endoscópica nasal y que desarrolló en el posoperatorio inmediato con un HO. Se manejó precozmente con cantotomía-cantolisis, descompresión orbitaria medial endoscópica y control vascular de la AEA. El paciente evoluciona favorablemente, sin déficit visual. En este artículo se discutirán el diagnóstico y manejo oportunos del hematoma orbitario iatrogénico.

Abstract During endoscopic sinonasal surgery, inadvertent section of the anterior ethmoidal artery (AEA) with retraction into the orbit is the usual mechanism of orbital hematoma (OH), leading to proptosis, pain, and potentially irreversible visual loss. Thirty minutes is sufficient for retinal ischemia and permanent visual loss. The explanation for blindness is due to increased intraorbital pressure. The treatment of iatrogenic HO must be quick and aggressive, because if it is not managed in time, it can cause a permanent visual deficit. We present the case of a 72-year-old man with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps refractory to medical treatment who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery, evolving in the immediate postoperative period with an HO, requiring canthotomy - cantolysis and early surgical reintervention for endoscopic medial orbital decompression and vascular control of AEA. The patient evolves favorably, without visual deficit. This article will discuss the timely diagnosis and management of iatrogenic orbital hematoma.

Surgical Treatment of Orbital Blowout Fractures: Complications and Postoperative Care Patterns.

Orbital fractures are a common result of facial trauma. Sequelae and indications for repair include enophthalmos and/or diplopia from extraocular muscle entrapment. Alloplastic implant placement with careful release of periorbital fat and extraocular muscles can effectively restore extraocular movements, orbital integrity, and anatomic volume. However, rare but devastating complications such as retrobulbar hematoma (RBH) can occur after repair, which pose a risk of permanent vision loss if not addressed emergently. For this reason, some surgeons take the precaution of admitting patients for 24-hour postoperative vision checks, while others do not. The incidence of postoperative RBH has not been previously reported and existing data are limited to case reports. Our aim was to examine national trends in postoperative management and to report the incidence of immediate postoperative complications at our institution following orbital repair. A retrospective assessment of orbital blowout fractures was undertaken to assess immediate postoperative complications including RBH. Only patients treated by a senior surgeon in the Department of Otolaryngology were included in the review. In addition, we surveyed AO North America (AONA) Craniomaxillofacial faculty to assess current trends in postoperative management. There were 80 patients treated surgically for orbital blowout fractures over a 9.5-year period. Nearly all patients were observed overnight (74%) or longer (25%) due to other trauma. Average length of stay was 17 hours for those observed overnight. There was one (1.3%) patient with RBH, who was treated and recovered without sequelae. Results of the survey indicated that a majority (64%) of responders observe postoperative patients overnight. Twenty-nine percent of responders indicated that they send patients home the same day of surgery. Performance of more than 20 orbital repairs annually significantly increased the likelihood that faculty would manage patients on an outpatient basis postoperatively (p = 0.04). For orbital blowout fractures, the number of immediate postoperative complications at our institution is low. In addition, North American trends in postoperative management of orbital blowout fractures may suggest that selected patients can be managed on an outpatient basis, which would have a positive effect on conservation of diminishing healthcare resources.

Orbital Complications Associated with the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

Orbital injuries from endoscopic sinus surgery are rare but potentially catastrophic. The most feared complications from sinus surgery include blindness and diplopia. Recent publications note that the rate of orbital complications has decreased when compared with the past, reflecting the use of endoscopes, better technology, and improved training. The sinus surgeon must have mastery over the procedure she or he plans to undertake and be aware of the specific potential for orbital injury given the patient's anatomy and disease. The sinus surgeon must also have expert knowledge of the appropriate and immediate medical and surgical management of orbital complications.

Efficacy of transcutaneous transseptal orbital decompression in treating acute retrobulbar hemorrhage and a literature review.

Decreasing visual acuity secondary to orbital trauma may be caused by sudden space-occupying or expanding intraorbital lesions, including retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH), herniation, or swelling. RBH must be diagnosed and treated immediately. This article addresses the efficacy of transcutaneous transseptal orbital decompression in a combination with a systematic review of the literature for a comparison of this method with existing treatment options. For this study the department's database was retrospectively screened for patients with acute RBH who were treated between 2009 and 2011 using the authors' approach. Patients presenting with RBH were classified into RBH classes I to III according to three different clinical and radiological manifestations of acute RBH. The efficacy of transcutaneous transseptal orbital decompression was assessed by postoperative visual acuities. The literature review was performed by using the MEDLINE database. The time period for the study was between 2009 and 2011 during which 10 patients were diagnosed with suspected RBH and 9 were treated with the authors' technique. Visual acuities were reconstituted or maintained in almost 86% of patients who were diagnosed and treated according to the authors approach and who survived initial trauma. It was concluded that transcutaneous transseptal orbital decompression provides an efficient and rapid approach for treating patients with acute RBH. By distinguishing three different manifestations of acute RBH, the authors present a diagnostic tool that may facilitate classification of RBH and determination of treatment options.

A practical approach to ocular pain for the non-ophthalmologist.

Pain involving the eye has numerous etiologies and is a feared challenge of many clinicians. Between a fear of the patient losing vision and a lack of familiarity with the ophthalmic equipment necessary to diagnose the problem, working up eye pain can be a daunting task. While the ophthalmologist can be indispensable in challenging cases of eye pain, this article will help clarify the unique clinical features of each etiology that can help clinicians narrow down the differential and arrive at a diagnosis.

Role of the maxillofacial surgeon in the management of severe ocular injuries after maxillofacial fractures.

AIM: This study was designed to evaluate the incidence of severe ocular injuries associated to maxillofacial fractures and report their management in the Emergency Department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among the 1779 patients admitted for maxillofacial fractures, those with partial or total loss of vision at the time of emergency consultation were included in the study. Data collected from the patients' medical records included age, gender, mechanism of injury, location and type of facial fractures, type of ocular injuries and cause of blindness, methods of treatment, and days of hospitalization. RESULTS: Forty patients (2.2%), 32 men and 8 women, ranging from 17 to 85 years of age, presented with severely reduced vision or blindness associated to fractures of the facial middle third with involvement of one or more orbital walls, mainly caused by motor vehicle and work accidents. In 18 patients, severe ocular injuries were determined by direct lesion of the globe, in 14 by direct or indirect traumatic optic neuropathy and in 8 by a retrobulbar hematoma. Direct lesion of the eyeball was treated by prompt repair or enucleation of the globe, though no or little recovery of vision was obtained. Ophthalmologic and/or maxillofacial treatment of the anterior compartment lesions of the eye allowed a partial or total recovery of the vision. A partial or total recovery of the vision was observed in almost all the patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy after administration of steroids according to NASCIS II protocol. Likewise, an evident improvement of the vision was obtained by immediate drainage of retrobulbar hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of the nature of the ophthalmic injury and treatment are important, and involvement of the ophthalmologist is mandatory.