Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage related to ophthalmic artery avulsion: a case report

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2018 May;160(5):913-917. doi: 10.1007/s00701-018-3486-z. Epub 2018 Feb 14.

Abstract

We present a case of ophthalmic artery (OA) traumatic avulsion, leading to a post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with ventricular blood invasion and hydrocephalus, mimicking an internal carotid aneurysm rupture. This is the third case of such an event reported in literature and the first without orbital fractures and optic nerve avulsion. Conservative treatment was sufficient for the avulsion, but surgery was needed for the coexisting eye luxation. Traumatic OA avulsion is a rare but possible event and should be suspected in case of basal cisterns SAH, evidence of orbital trauma and CT angiogram or angiographic absence of opacification of the OA.

Keywords: Brain trauma; Ophthalmic artery; Ophthalmic artery avulsion; Orbital trauma; Traumatic SAH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Computed Tomography Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hydrocephalus / etiology
  • Hydrocephalus / pathology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / etiology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / pathology
  • Male
  • Ophthalmic Artery / injuries*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic / etiology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic / pathology