A Case of Surgical Management for Orbital Organizing Hematoma from Orbital Varix

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Orbital varices, which can lead to proptosis or globe displacement, are caused by Valsalva's maneuver or bending forward. Most of the orbital varices are treated conservatively, but surgical treatment is necessary for severe cosmetic or functional problems. We report a case of orbital organizing hematoma accompanied by an orbital varix which was successfully removed surgically without complications such as intraoperative bleeding. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old female presented with the complaint of 4 mm proptosis and hyperglobus of left eye. Orbit magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well demarcated extraconal mass in the inferior orbit which appeared to be an orbital varix. Initially, we decided to monitor the patient without surgery because proptosis was reduced to 1 mm within a week. However, after 5 months, the symptoms suddenly worsened, specifically, 4 mm of proptosis with severe hyperglobus and pain. MRI showed a 29.7 x 21.2 x 23.7 mm mass compressing the globe upward. Six weeks of conservative care did not improve the symptoms and we eventually performed an anterior orbitotomy through the inferior conjunctiva. There was a minor bleeding during the surgery. Based on the histological test, the mass was determined to be an organizing hematoma covered by a membrane. At 8 months postoperatively, symptoms had not recurred. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital varices are usually treated conservatively since its surgical removal is known to have risks. Nonetheless, if an MRI shows an orbital organizing hematoma, it can be surgically debulked successfully without complications when a chronic hemorrhage from orbital varix causes serious proptosis and globe deviation.