Orbital compartment syndrome caused by intraorbital bacitracin ointment after endoscopic sinus surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To present an unusual case of orbital compartment syndrome after endoscopic sinus surgery.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
Acute proptosis, chemosis, decreased vision, and ophthalmoplegia were found immediately after endoscopic sinus surgery. Ophthalmologic evaluation showed a tense orbit, and intraocular pressure increased to 54 mm Hg. Treatment was initiated and the intraocular pressure dropped. Computed tomography (CT) revealed the presence of bacitracin ointment in the orbit.


CONCLUSIONS
Ophthalmic complications after sinus surgery are well identified. Postoperative orbital compartment syndrome may be caused by retrobulbar hemorrhage, edema, air (emphysema), or foreign material. In this case, the findings were caused by inadvertent injection of bacitracin ointment into the orbit.
Castro
E
E
Department of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cole Eye Institute, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Seeley
M
M
Kosmorsky
G
G
Foster
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004724:Endoscopy; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009824:Ointments; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009824:Ointments; D001414:Bacitracin