Acute retrobulbar hemorrhage after tooth extraction: Case report and treatment of a rare condition. (4th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Nisha; Epstein, Aliza; Reed, Donovan; Homer, Natalie; Blaydon, Sean; Alford, Jeffrey; Nakra, Tanuj
• Is Part Of: Special care in dentistry. Volume 42:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 304
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2021-11-04
• Subjects: orbit -- orbital compartment syndrome -- retrobulbar hemorrhage -- tooth extraction; People with disabilities -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Hospital dental service -- Periodicals; Dental Care for Disabled -- Periodicals; Dental Service, Hospital -- Periodicals; Geriatric Dentistry -- Periodicals; 617.60087
• DOI: 10.1111/scd.12673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-1879

Abstract

Abstract: Retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) refers to hemorrhage within the bony orbital cavity and most commonly results from periorbital surgery or trauma. RBH following tooth extraction is a rare occurrence. Patients with RBH will endorse symptoms of periorbital pain, double vision, or vision loss, and present with evidence of proptosis, chemosis, or subconjunctival hemorrhage. Irreversible vision loss may occur if orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) results in the setting of RBH and is not expediently treated. Herein we present a case of a 72‐year‐old female who developed a RBH and OCS immediately after routine molar tooth extraction. Emergent treatment by the oral surgeon with a lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis led to full visual recovery. Dentists and oral surgeons should be aware of this potential rare vision‐threatening complication of atraumatic tooth extraction and educated on the technique of decompressive lateral canthotomy and cantholysis.