The 'guitar pick' sign: A novel sign of retrobulbar hemorrhage

Jonathan Theoret, Geoffrey E. Sanz, David Matero, Todd Guth, Catherine Erickson, Michael M. Liao, John L. Kendall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a rare complication of blunt ocular trauma. Without prompt intervention, permanent reduction in visual acuity can develop in as little as 90 minutes. We report a novel bedside ultrasound finding of conical deformation of the posterior ocular globe: the ''guitar pick'' sign. In our elderly patient, the ocular globe shape normalized post-lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. Identifying this sonographic finding may add to the clinical examination when deciding whether to perform decompression.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)162-164
Number of pages3
JournalCanadian Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bedside ultrasonography
  • Guitar pick sign
  • Retrobulbar hemorrhage
  • Ultrasonography

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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