Purpose: To report the use of a subtenon's vancomycin injection for the treatment of subretinal abscess secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endogenous endophthalmitis.
Methods: A 17-year-old man developed endogenous endophthalmitis with subretinal abscess in his right eye secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia from axillary necrotizing fasciitis. Despite prompt treatment with IV vancomycin and an intravitreal vancomycin injection, the patient displayed minimal improvement. The patient was subsequently treated with a subtenon's vancomycin injection. The injection technique is described in detail, as well as a review of the treatment options available for bacterial subretinal abscesses.
Results: On presentation, examination revealed minimal vitritis and a large yellow subretinal abscess superotemporally extending close to the macula with subretinal fluid inferotemporally involving the macula. Four days postintravitreal vancomycin injection, the abscess remained stable and the patient developed an exudative detachment temporally. Vancomycin was injected superotemporally in the subtenon's space with no complications during the procedure or during his postoperative recovery. At seven days postinjection, the subretinal abscess and exudative retinal detachment resolved completely with necrosis at the area of previous abscess.
Conclusion: We present the first successful case of subtenon's vancomycin injection for the treatment of bacterial subretinal abscess. Our case demonstrates that subtenon's injection of antibiotics is a safe and effective nonsurgical management option for bacterial subretinal abscesses.