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The CT-topography of retrobulbar anesthesia

Anatomic-clinical correlation of complications and suggestion of a modified technique

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Abstract

The anatomic relationship of an injection needle as traditionally placed in retrobulbar anesthesia to optic nerve, orbital vessels and eye muscles is demonstrated by computed tomography.

The clinical complications of retrobulbar injections are reviewed and correlated to the orbital topography in different positions of gaze, as analyzed in anatomic sections and CT images.

The results indicate that with the traditional technique of retrobulbar injection the most important orbital structures are in the immediate neighbourhood of the needle.

A different injection technique is discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Die topographischen Verhältnisse einer mit der üblichen Injektionstechnik plazierten Injektionsnadel zu Sehnerv, Orbitalen Gefäßen und Augenmuskeln werden computer-tomographisch dargestellt.

Die klinischen Komplikationen retrobulbärer Injektionen werden in Hinblick auf die orbitale Topographie in verschiedenen Blickrichtungen analysiert. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daß bei der traditionellen Injektionstechnik sich die wichtigsten Orbitalen Strukturen in unmittelbarer Nähe der Nadel befinden.

Eine andere Injektionstechnik wird diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitäts-Augenklinik Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    R. Unsöld

  2. Veterans Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA

    J. A. Stanley

  3. Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, USA

    J. DeGroot

Authors
  1. R. Unsöld
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  2. J. A. Stanley
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  3. J. DeGroot
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Unsöld, R., Stanley, J.A. & DeGroot, J. The CT-topography of retrobulbar anesthesia. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 217, 125–136 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418987

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418987

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