Needle decompression in a patient with vision-threatening orbital emphysema.

Orbital emphysema is a condition resulting from trapping of air in loose subcutaneous or orbital tissues from the paranasal sinuses. This condition commonly seen in patients with a history of periorbital trauma or surgery, especially following sneezing or nose blowing. It usually has a benign and self-limited course. However, the entrapped orbital air can cause a substantial increase in pressure with restricted ocular motility or vascular compromise and become severe enough to cause visual impairment. We herein present the case of a patient who developed severe orbital emphysema after blunt trauma followed by sneezing and was successfully treated with needle decompression of intraorbital air. Emergency needle decompression resulted in an improvement in vision and intraocular pressure.

1. Introduction

Orbital emphysema may develop in cases with a history of periorbital trauma or surgery, especially following sneezing or nose blowing. On rare occasions, the entrapped orbital air can cause a substantial rise in pressure with restricted ocular motility or vascular compromise and become severe enough to cause visual impairment.1 Herein, we present the case of a patient who developed severe orbital emphysema after blunt trauma followed by sneezing and was treated successfully with needle decompression. The use of needle decompression technique in orbital emphysema was also discussed.

2. Case report

A 68-year-old man was referred to our department with complaints of swelling, pain, and blurred vision in the left eye after sneezing. He had experienced blunt trauma to the left periorbital region, and left lid laceration after primary repair 4 days ago. On examination, he had complete left ptosis and periorbital swelling with crepitus on palpation of subcutaneous tissue. There was 5 mm of proptosis in the left eye compared with the right eye. Eye movement in all directions was limited and painful (Fig. 1). The best-corrected visual acuity was 6/7.5 in the right eye and 6/15 in the left eye. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 19 mmHg in the right eye and 29 mmHg in the left eye. Other ophthalmic examination results were unremarkable. Orbital computed tomography (CT) revealed left subcutaneous and orbital emphysema with a large amount of air in the superior and inferior orbit extending to the retrobulbar region between the inferior rectus muscle and the optic nerve, and fracture of adjacent lamina papyracea (Fig. 2). Under topical anesthesia (EMLA cream, lidocaine/prilocaine) of the left lower eyelid, eyeball protector was applied and a 19-gauge needle attached to a 10-cm3 syringe (Perfect Medical Industry CO., LTD, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam) filled with some normal saline was introduced trans-cutaneously into the inferior orbit at the junction of the middle and lateral thirds of the inferior orbital margin. The plunger was forced back spontaneously as the air pocket was entered with aid of an assistant by squeezing the lesion. Finally, a total of 6 mL of air was aspirated (Fig. 3). The patient reported immediate improvement of ptosis and periorbital swelling, and the ductions of the eye returned to normal (Fig. 4). The IOP dropped to 18 mmHg. One week later, the patient’s visual acuity had improved to 6/6.

Fig. 1

The patient presents with left periocular ecchymosis and conjunctiva ecchymosis with an inability to close the lids and restricted extraocular movements in all directions.

Fig. 2

Computed tomography reveals left subcutaneous and orbital emphysema and fracture of adjacent lamina papyracea.

Fig. 3

A total of 6 mL of air is aspirated. Using saline could help to identify the air going into the syringe easily.

Fig. 4

The patient reports immediate improvement of ptosis and periorbital swelling, and the ductions of the eye returned to normal after needle decompression.

3. Discussion

Orbital emphysema in most cases is generally the result of a complication of orbital fractures that have a paranasal sinus communication, especially the ethmoid sinus. Predisposing factors include sneezing and nose blowing, which force nasal air into the intraorbital soft tissues through the defect between the sinus and the orbit,2 as in this case. Orbital emphysema is often a benign and self-limited condition lasting for a few days or weeks. However, patients must be followed closely for potential complications. In rare cases, the orbital soft tissues may block the bony defect and produce a one-way check valve, allowing air to enter, but not leave, the orbit, causing acute onset of elevated orbital tension. The increased orbital pressure could result in proptosis and impaired ocular movement, or even lead to acute compartment syndrome and become severe enough to cause visual loss. Vision-threatening orbital emphysema often requires rapid surgical decompression, such as lateral canthotomy or cantholysis, needle decompression, and open decompression.

Needle decompression has been reported to be a simple, rapid, and effective technique for orbital emphysema.234567 Although it is a relative safe and minimally invasive procedure for most ophthal-mologic surgeons, potential complications such as retrobulbar hemorrhage, eyeball perforation, and optic nerve damage may arise. In combination with previous reports and our experience, we modified this procedure to maximize its effect and increase its safety. First, the direction of needle injection is according to the largest entrapped air pocket demonstrated on the CT scan. Although the total volume of entrapped air is often hard to be calculated and aspirated completely, the globe tension and signs of orbital congestion usually could resolve immediately after the largest air pocket in the orbit has been aspirated. Second, using a blunt-tipped Atkinson needle and eyeball protector, if available, and always keeping the needle along the orbital wall and away from the globe and optic nerve may help to reduce the risk of complications. Third, needle decompression could be performed either with an empty syringe or with a syringe filled with saline.56 The saline in the syringe can help to identify the air going into the syringe easily.

In conclusion, we presented a case of orbital medial wall fracture complicated with vision-threatening orbital emphysema after sneezing and relieved by needle decompression. Needle decompression provides a treatment option for patients with orbital emphysema associated with the presence of proptosis, elevated IOP, and progressive loss of vision due to vascular compromise or stretching of the optic nerve.