Proptosis after hair pulling

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Mar;19(2):154-5. doi: 10.1097/01.IOP.0000055828.10127.70.

Abstract

We describe proptosis due to a subperiosteal orbital hematoma that originated from a subgaleal bleed caused by hair pulling. A 13-year-old boy presented with a one-week history of progressive proptosis after his older sister pulled his hair during an argument. Computerized tomography showed a subgaleal hematoma and a right superior subperiosteal orbital hematoma. Progressive proptosis and compressive optic neuropathy developed, necessitating surgical evacuation with a favorable outcome.Hair pulling can result in a subgaleal bleed with extension to the orbital subperiosteal space. When managing patients with a subgaleal hematoma, this vision-threatening complication should be considered and treated accordingly.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Exophthalmos / etiology*
  • Hair Follicle / injuries*
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Retrobulbar Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Scalp / injuries*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed