Spontaneous hemorrhage within the rectus muscle.
OBJECTIVE
To describe, in three patients, the rare condition of spontaneous hemorrhage within the rectus muscle.


METHODS
The records of three patients with a diagnosis of spontaneous hemorrhage within a rectus muscle were reviewed.


RESULTS
Three adults had sudden unilateral painful proptosis with clinical and computed tomographic findings consistent with hemorrhage within a rectus muscle; in two patients, the presence of recent hemorrhage was confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. In all three patients, the hemorrhage resolved spontaneously.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous hemorrhage within a rectus muscle may occur in otherwise healthy adults without any apparent underlying cause. In the absence of visual deterioration, no treatment is required, and complete clinical resolution may be anticipated.
Hakin
K N
KN
Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia.
McNab
A A
AA
Sullivan
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed