Acute Orbital Compartment Syndrome Clinical Presentation

  • Author: David A Peak, MD; Chief Editor: Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH   more...
 
Updated: Aug 19, 2011
 

History

Symptoms of acute orbital compartment syndrome may include the following:

  • Eye pain
  • Diplopia
  • Visual loss
  • Reduction of ocular motility
  • Proptosis
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Physical Examination

Physical examination findings of acute orbital compartment syndrome may include the following:

  • Proptosis (best visualized in coronal/superior view while the patient is in a semi-reclining position)
  • Ecchymosis of eyelids
  • Chemosis - Often severe and may be bloody
  • Ophthalmoplegia
  • Afferent pupillary defect
  • Decreased visual fields
  • Papilledema
  • Decreased visual acuity
  • Central retinal artery pulsation
  • Pale optic disc (late)
  • Cherry-red macula (rare)

Visual acuity may be measured in the patient with acute trauma via a handheld eye chart or even counting fingers at a distance. Acuity should be rechecked at periodic intervals, and any decrease is cause for concern.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David A Peak, MD  Assistant Residency Director of Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Attending Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital; Consulting Staff, Department of Hyperbaric Medicine, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

David A Peak, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Thomas E Green, DO, MPH, FACOEP  Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Franciscan Saint James Hospital; Assistant Professor and Core Faculty, Associate Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University

Thomas E Green, DO, MPH, FACOEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard Lavely, MD, JD, MS, MPH  Lecturer in Health Policy and Administration, Department of Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine

Richard Lavely, MD, JD, MS, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Legal Medicine, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Chief Editor

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH  Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia Health System

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Medical Society of Delaware, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Tyson Pillow, MD, to the development and writing of the source article.

References
  1. Lima V, Burt B, Leibovitch I, Prabhakaran V, Goldberg RA, Selva D. Orbital compartment syndrome: the ophthalmic surgical emergency. Surv Ophthalmol. Jul-Aug 2009;54(4):441-9. [Medline].

  2. McInnes G, Howes DW. Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: a simple, vision-saving procedure. CJEM. Jan 2002;4(1):49-52. [Medline].

  3. Holt GR, Holt JE. Incidence of eye injuries in facial fractures: an analysis of 727 cases. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Jun 1983;91(3):276-9. [Medline].

  4. Ballard SR, Enzenauer RW, O'Donnell T, Fleming JC, Risk G, Waite AN. Emergency lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: a simple procedure to preserve vision from sight threatening orbital hemorrhage. J Spec Oper Med. Summer 2009;9(3):26-32. [Medline].

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Lateral canthotomy is performed by incising laterally with sharp scissors.
Cantholysis is performed by identification and disinsertion of the inferior crus of the lateral canthal tendon, which should allow free mobility of the lower lid margin.
 
 
 
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