Terson Syndrome Diagnosed by Ocular Point of Care Ultrasound on the Medical Floor

Abstract

In acute care environments, accurately assessing complications of intracranial pathology can be challenging. Ocular complications in acute intracranial disease are not consistently evaluated despite their high morbidity. We report on a case of monocular diplopia in a 63-year-old man with subacute traumatic brain injury with localized subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ocular point of care ultrasound (POCUS) identified features of vitreous hemorrhage in one globe, leading to a diagnosis of Terson syndrome and a timely referral to ophthalmology. This finding was made on the medical floor days after the initial presentation during rehabilitation when ophthalmoscopy was not possible, and vitreous hemorrhage had not been identified on presentation. Terson syndrome is a seldom discussed but important complication of intracranial hemorrhage generally associated with poor patient outcomes. Ocular POCUS can provide a useful alternative in assessing ocular complications of acute intracranial disease on the medical floor, particularly when the practicalities of performing ophthalmoscopy are challenged.

Keywords: Internal Medicine; Ocular Ultrasound; POCUS; Subarachnoid Haemorrhage; Terson Syndrome; Viterous Haemorrhage.