Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
09:53
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
[Intracranial diffusion. A complication of retrobulbar anesthesia]
A Marqués-González1, X Onrubia-Fuertes, J Bellver-Romero
1Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia.
Revista Espanola De Anestesiologia Y Reanimacion
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Retrobulbar anesthesia, a common eye surgery technique, can rarely cause serious complications. This report details two cases of intracranial diffusion following this procedure, highlighting potential risks.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Anesthesiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Retrobulbar anesthesia is a standard local-regional technique for ophthalmic procedures.
- While generally safe, it carries risks including local (hemorrhage, globe perforation) and systemic (cardiovascular, respiratory) complications.
Observation:
- This report presents two distinct cases of intracranial diffusion occurring after retrobulbar anesthesia administration.
- These events, though rare, underscore a potential neurological complication associated with the procedure.
Findings:
- The study investigates the mechanisms potentially leading to intracranial diffusion post-retrobulbar anesthesia.
- Analysis focuses on needle trajectory and anesthetic spread into intracranial spaces.
Implications:
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for refining retrobulbar anesthesia techniques to minimize neurological risks.
- Enhanced awareness may improve patient safety and surgical outcomes in ophthalmic anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
01:16Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
One of the advantages of...
01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...