# Anesthetic Considerations for Removal of Bilateral Orbital Foreign Bodies With Suspected Carotid Artery Involvement: A Case Report

**Authors:** Asad Saleem, Illan Kunik, Jay D Shah, Noureddeen Bitar, Anvinh Nguyen

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102094 · 2026-01-22

## TL;DR

This case report discusses the anesthetic challenges and strategies for removing foreign bodies from a patient's eyes with potential carotid artery involvement.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel case highlighting anesthetic strategies for managing complex orbital trauma with carotid artery risks.

## Key findings

- Anesthetic management must minimize intraocular pressure in open globe injuries.
- Multidisciplinary coordination is essential for cases involving carotid artery proximity.
- Invasive monitoring is required to prevent catastrophic hemorrhage risks.

## Abstract

Penetrating ocular trauma and carotid artery involvement each present distinct anesthetic challenges. In patients with suspected open globe injuries, increases in intraocular pressure must be minimized through careful anesthetic and airway management. Concurrent carotid artery involvement carries the risk of catastrophic hemorrhage and requires invasive monitoring and multidisciplinary coordination.

We report the anesthetic management of a 74-year-old male presenting with bilateral orbital penetration by ballpoint pens, with imaging revealing the right pen abutting the internal carotid artery. This case highlights key anesthetic strategies and the importance of coordinated endovascular and surgical planning to ensure patient safety.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** blood loss (MESH:D016063), eye (MESH:D005134), hematoma (MESH:D006406), injuries (MESH:D014947), visual deficits in (MESH:D014786), Open globe injuries (MESH:D006259), neurological deficits (MESH:D009461), vomiting (MESH:D014839), blindness (MESH:D001766), carotid artery injury (MESH:D020212), bleeding (MESH:D006470), cerebrovascular accident (MESH:D020521), artery (MESH:D012078), vascular injuries (MESH:D057772), ICA (MESH:D002340), apnea (MESH:D001049), intracranial bleeding (MESH:D013345), death (MESH:D003643), neck injuries (MESH:D019838), hypertension (MESH:D006973), occlusion of the (MESH:D001157), intimal injury to the (MESH:C563733), neuromuscular paralysis (MESH:D009468), neuromuscular blockade (MESH:D020879), depressive disorder (MESH:D003866), bipolar II disorder (MESH:D001714), injuries to the orbit (MESH:D009916), tracheal deviation (MESH:D014133)
- **Chemicals:** nitrogen (MESH:D009584), oxygen (MESH:D010100), propofol (MESH:D015742), levofloxacin (MESH:D064704), lisinopril (MESH:D017706), fentanyl (MESH:D005283), vancomycin (MESH:D014640), succinylcholine (MESH:D013390), dexmedetomidine (MESH:D020927), lidocaine (MESH:D008012), ketamine (-), rocuronium (MESH:D000077123), sevoflurane (MESH:D000077149), glucose (MESH:D005947), sugammadex (MESH:D000077122)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12924714/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12924714