REBEL Core Cast 42.0 – Orbital Compartment Syndrome

Take Home Points

• Trauma resulting in a retrobulbar hemorrhage can lead to orbital compartment syndrome which is a vision threatening injury
• Diagnosis is made clinically based on the presence of an afferent pupillary defect, vision loss and an intraocular pressure > 40 mm Hg
• Treatment is with a lateral canthotomy – a simple but mentally daunting procedure

REBEL Core Cast 42.0 – Orbital Compartment Syndrome

Resources:

• EMRAP HD: How to Do a Lateral Canthotomy
• Vassallo S et al. Traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage: emergent decompression by lateral canthotomy and cantholysis. J Emerg Med 2002; 22(3): 251-6. PMID: 11932087
• Rowh AD et al. Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis: emergency management of orbital compartment syndrome. J Emerg Med 2015. 48(3):325-330. PMID: 25524455
• Larry Mellick: Emergency Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis

Post Peer Reviewed By: Salim R. Rezaie, MD (Twitter: @srrezaie)