Retinal Detachment Diagnosed by Bedside Ultrasound in the Emergency Department
Andy Kahn, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Amy L. Kahn, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Chalene A. Corinaldi, Advocate Christ Hospital and Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois
Fernando L. Benitez, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
J. Christian Fox, University of California, Irvine Medical Center

Download the Paper (PDF format) - October 27, 2007 Tell a colleague about it. Printing Tips: Select 'print as image' in the Acrobat print dialog if you have trouble printing. This work has been peer reviewed.

ABSTRACT:
This case study describes a patient who presented with vague visual complaints in the right eye, decreased visual acuity in the affected eye, and a difficult initial eye evaluation, including fundoscopic and slit lamp examinations, in the emergency department (ED). The preliminary finding included a darkened-appearing area of the retina on fundoscopic exam. The patient subsequently had bedside sonography of the eyes done by an emergency medicine (EM) intern which revealed a thin and serpentine strip appearing as a hyperechoic representation of the retina floating freely into the vitreous from the superior-lateral section of the posterior globe.