Orbital penetration associated with tooth extraction.
Three cats and 2 dogs were evaluated for ophthalmologic complications associated with tooth extraction procedures. Orbital penetration leading to ocular and, in one case, brain trauma was secondary to iatrogenic injury from a dental elevator. Outcomes included enucleation of the affected eye in 3 cases, and death from brain abscessation in 1 case. Early treatment or, preferably, referral to a veterinary ophthalmology specialist may prevent such outcomes. Awareness of the anatomical proximity of caudal maxillary tooth roots and the orbit, appropriate interpretation of diagnostic intraoral dental radiographs, and technical proficiency in tooth extraction techniques will minimize these complications in veterinary dental practice.
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Mark M
MM
Smith
Eric M
EM
Smith
Noelle
N
La Croix
John
J
Mould
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome