Background: Subperiosteal orbital hematoma (SOH) is a rare finding after midface trauma, causing compartment syndrome within the orbit. It should be consideration in the differential diagnosis of any case of proptosis and vertical globe displacement.
Patients: We present two patients with SOH treated by surgical evacuation and drainage.
Results: In both the hematomas resolved completely and uneventfully.
Conclusion: Being a safe and simple method, surgical decompression combined with drainage enables complete evacuation of the blood clot and prevents possible sequelae. This method should be considered even in cases without significant visual impairment.
Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.