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Ophthalmoplegia resulting from an intraorbital hematoma
C A Spence1, D H Duong, L Monsein
1Department of Neurological Surgery, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Surgical Neurology
|March 10, 2001
Summary
An intraorbital hematoma complicated aneurysm clipping recovery, causing exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia. Prompt surgical evacuation restored the patient's neurological function and vision.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Endovascular Surgery
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- A patient developed a rare complication following attempted surgical clipping of an internal carotid artery aneurysm.
- The complication, an intraorbital hematoma, manifested five days into the postoperative period.
Observation:
- The patient presented with exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia after undergoing endovascular coiling for the aneurysm.
- A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed an epidural hematoma with intraorbital extension.
Findings:
- Surgical evacuation of the intraorbital hematoma led to the recovery of extraocular function.
- The patient's neurological status returned to baseline after the hematoma was drained.
Implications:
- Early recognition of exophthalmos and ophthalmoplegia after skull base surgery is critical.
- Timely intervention for intraorbital hematomas can prevent permanent neurological deficits or mortality.