Proptosis secondary to subdural hematoma

H. W. Skalka

A subdural hematoma extending into the orbit through a fracture of the sphenoid bone appeared as unilateral proptosis with no neurologic abnormalities. Repeated percutaneous needle aspirations of the orbital portion of this mass provided only temporary relief of proptosis, but decompressed the intracranial portion of the hematoma adequately for prevention of neurologic manifestations. Ultrasonography correctly diagnosed the nature of the lesion and identified the bony dehiscence. Computed tomographic (CT) evaluation suggesting that a tumor might be present led to the performance of curative neurosurgery. Even when seemingly trivial, head trauma must be considered along with congenital, developmental, and neoplastic causes as a potential cause of intracranial cyst formation that can produce proptosis.