• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.241-244
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• 2009

Retrobulbar hematoma can arise from orbital trauma and periorbital or intraorbital procedures, and it can result in several morbidities including vision loss. Making the immediate diagnosis and performing decompression of the retrobulbar hematoma are crucial for preventing serious morbidities such as permanent vision loss. We present here a case of temporary vision loss that was due to iatrogenic retrobulbar hematoma in a patient who received infraorbital nerve block for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. A 70-year-old woman with trigeminal neuralgia was treated with infraorbital nerve block. Just after the procedure she experienced acute periorbital swelling, proptosis and worsening visual acuity. Immediate orbital computed tomography was done, and this revealed a retrobulbar hematoma. The patient underwent lateral canthotomy with cantholysis and administration of dexamethasone and mannitol. Improvement of visual acuity began 3 hours after these procedures. Her visual acuity was greatly improved 12 days after admission.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2013

Retrobulbar hemorrhage, especially when associated with visual loss, is a rare but significant complication after facial bone reconstruction. In this article, two cases of retrobulbar hematoma after surgical repair of blow-out fracture are reported. In one patient, permanent loss of vision was involved, but with the other patient, we were able to prevent this by performing immediate decompression after definite diagnosis. We present our clinical experience with regard to the treatment process and method for prevention of retrobulbar hematoma using a scalp vein set tube and a negative pressure drainage system.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2013

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication after blepharoplasty, mid-face injury, and treatment of facial bone fractures. The incidence of postoperative retrobulbar hemorrhage is 0.055% with an incidence of associated permanent blindness of 0.005%. A 69-year-old male came to the emergency room with pain on both orbital areas and uncontrolled bleeding after cosmetic lower blepharoplasty performed at a private clinic. He had not been evaluated preoperatively by the private clinic, but we found that he had undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and taken anticoagulants for 10 years. We performed an emergency operation to evacuate the hematoma. However, after surgery, he persistently complained of orbital pain, pressure and diminished visual acuity. Intraocular pressure was increased, and computed tomography demonstrated a retrobulbar hemorrhage with globe displacement. Emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis were performed. Intraocular pressure was decreased to 48/30 mm Hg immediately after the operation, falling within the normal range the next day. We recommend three points to minimize loss of vision by retrobulbar hematoma. Firstly, careful preoperative evaluation must be conducted including current medications, underlying diseases and previous history of surgeries. Secondly, cautious postoperative observation is important for the early diagnosis of retrobulbar hematoma. Lastly, immediate treatment is crucial to prevent permanent blindness.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 2021

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a disastrous condition that can lead to permanent blindness. As such, rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical. Here, we report a patient who presented with retrobulbar hemorrhage following an orbital floor fracture. Restoration of inferior orbital wall with porous polyethylene implant was underwent. Four days after the orbital floor reconstruction, the patient smoked a cigarette outdoors in -3℃ weather. Cold temperature and smoking caused an increase in his systemic blood pressure. The elevated blood pressure increased intraorbital pressure to the extent of causing central retinal artery occlusion and exacerbated oozing. During exploratory surgery, 3 mL of hematoma and diffuse oozing without arterial bleeding were observed. Prompt diagnosis and treatment prevented vision impairment. Few studies have reported on the risk factors for retrobulbar hemorrhage. This case showed that daily activities, such as exposure to cold weather or tobacco smoking, could be risk factors for retrobulbar hemorrhage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.489-491
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• 2010

Purpose: Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a rare complication followed by blepharoplasty, trauma, orbital reconstruction, and so on. Most of the cases occur within 24 hours, half of them in the first 6 hours. Some authors have reported delayed retrobulbar hemorrhage after blepharoplasty and trauma within 1 day to 9 days. However, there have been few reports of delayed retrobulbar hemorrhage resulting from the complication of orbital reconstruction. Methods: A 22-year-old male underwent orbital floor reconstruction due to the orbital floor fracture. In 84 hours after the surgery, he complained sudden onset orbital pain and decreased visual acuity immediately after defecation. Intraocular pressure was unmeasurable due to the swelling at that time. Emergency computed tomography was performed. Results: Computed tomography revealed subperiosteal hematoma on inferior orbital wall extended to the apex. Emergency decompressive surgery was performed within 1 hour. After evacuation of hematoma, orbital symptom was improved and visual acuity was restored. Conclusion: Delayed retrobulbar hemorrhage is rare but vision-threatening. Therefore early diagnosis and treatment of delayed retrobulbar hemorrhage is thought to be crucial. The cause of delayed hemorrhage was not clear, however, valsalva maneuver might be the cause of hemorrhage.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.356-359
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• 2000

Superior orbital fissure syndrome is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ptosis of the eye, reflex dilation of the pupil, and anesthesia of the upper eyelid and forehead. This syndrome may be the result of craniofacial fractures as well as neoplasms of the retrobulbar space, hematomas in the orbital muscle cone and retrobulbar space, and hematoma and infection of the cavernous sinus. A case of superior orbital fissure syndrome is described.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.156-158
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• 2008

Intraorbital hemorrhage is a rare clinical condition caused by orbital trauma, surgery around the orbit, intraorbital vascular abnormalities, and neoplasm. It was reported to occur spontaneously without any known causes and in association with orbital pseudotumor in a very few cases. A 59-year-old, female patient admitted with sudden onset of severe exophthalmos and pain on the left eye. Orbital CT and MR imaging suggested hemorrhage in the upper part of retrobulbar area of the left orbit. Cerebral angiography was taken to rule out any possible vascular abnormalities. On the left carotid cerebral angiography, the run-off of the distal ophthalmic artery was not seen and the engorgement of the supraophthalmic artery was noted. Systemic administration of corticosteroid did not improve the clinical status and craniectomy was done and retrobulbar hematoma was removed, and the clinical symptoms and signs were improved. Authors report a case of spontaneous intraorbital hemorrhage with the clinical features similar to those of orbital pseudotumor, requiring surgical decompression.