Barotraumatic Subcutaneous Orbital Emphysema after Nose Blowing: Case Report

Abstract

Orbital subcutaneous emphysema is defined as the abnormal presence of air within the periorbital soft tissue. It occurs generally as a result of blunt or penetrating facial trauma. Spontaneous barotraumatic emphysema is a very rare entity that generally results due to a sudden increase in the intraorbital pressure. If there is not an obvious visual acuity loss even with high ocular pressure, it is generally managed conservatively. However prolonged elevation of intraorbital pressure may cause an irreversible, ischemic visual loss secondary to an ischemic optic neuropathy or an acute central retinal artery occlusion. Emergency decompression may be required. Here we are presenting a patient with barotraumatic orbital subcutaneous emphysema, occurring after forceful nose blowing who was managed conservatively without any complications.