Acute orbital edema causing reversible blindness after the administration of intravenous contrast agent in a patient with thyroid eye disease.
A 55-year-old white woman with severe thyroid eye disease developed marked orbital edema following the administration of intravenous contrast media with complete loss of vision over a 10-minute period while in the radiology waiting room. She was immediately treated with intravenous methylprednisolone with recovery of precontrast visual acuity and resolution of orbital edema. She underwent orbital decompression 2 weeks later and is currently doing well. This potential complication, although rare, should be recognized and treated immediately.
Fry
Eric L
EL
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. fryguy44@hotmail.com
Fante
Robert G
RG
D000208:Acute Disease; D001766:Blindness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone