Simulated peribulbar injection of anesthetic.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-1991

Abstract

To evaluate whether intracranial spreading of a local anesthetic might occur after a peribulbar injection, we did simulated peribulbar anesthetic injections with radiopaque dye into two cadaver heads. Using a standard and modified peribulbar injection with a 25-gauge needle, the four orbits were injected with 8 mL of dye. Computed tomography revealed that the dye spread intraconally and intracranially. In one case the dye was seen tracking along the optic nerve sheath. Since intracranial spreading of a local anesthetic may be associated with adverse sequelae (i.e., brainstem anesthesia), we urge caution and vigilance after both peribulbar and retrobulbar anesthetic injections to prevent cardiopulmonary compromise.

Volume

23

Issue

3

First Page

114

Last Page

117

ISSN

0003-4886

Disciplines

Anesthesiology | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

2039175

Department(s)

Department of Anesthesiology

Document Type

Article

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