title: Compressed helium injury to the orbit resulting in pneumocephalus.
abstract: A 33-year-old woman received a conjunctival laceration after accidental contact with the flexible outlet tip of a tank of compressed helium while filling balloons. The gas discharged during the contact, blowing compressed helium into her right orbit, with intracranial extension. The patient was asymptomatic, except for a transient headache. She was treated with prophylactic antibiotics and observed overnight, then discharged without complication. A literature search reveals that the usual outcome for this mechanism of injury is favorable.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University Medical Center, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Walrath
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kazim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000293:injuries; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations; D009915:Orbit / Q000293:injuries*; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D006371:Helium