Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025

A Murine Model of Ischemic Retinal Injury Induced by Transient Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion
Published on: November 12, 2020
CASE REPORT: A UNIQUE CASE OF BRAINSTEM ANESTHESIA AND CONTRALATERAL AMAUROSIS AFTER A SUBTENON BLOCK
Melissa Lu1, Mohammed Al Kaabi1, Cynthia Xin-Ya Qian1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ; and.
Purpose:
To report and discuss a case of brainstem anesthesia and contralateral amaurosis after a sub-Tenon block.
Methods:
Single surgical case report of a patient who underwent an uncomplicated pars plana vitrectomy for an epiretinal membrane peel in the left eye after a sub-Tenon anesthesia technique.
Results:
Postoperatively, the patient experienced symptoms of brainstem anesthesia as well as akinesia, a nonreactive pupil, and reduced visual acuity in the contralateral eye that gradually resolved within 24 hours. Imaging was within normal limits and did not reveal any anatomic abnormalities.
Conclusion:
Despite the use of a blunt-ended cannula in a sub-Tenon block, there is a non-negligible risk of it penetrating surrounding structures such as the optic nerve sheath. This case emphasizes the importance of monitoring for brainstem anesthesia and contralateral eye involvement in patients both intra- and postoperatively.
More Related Videos
07:46Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion as an Adequate Preconditioning Stimulus to Induce Early Ischemic Tolerance to Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: May 9, 2013
05:19A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis
Published on: November 22, 2024