Successful removal of cranial migrated intravitreal perfluorocarbon through a lumbar puncture

Abstract

Background: Perfluorocarbon migrating into subarachnoid was very rare let alone its further removing from central nervous system. Case presentation: We report a case of migration of intravitreal perfluorocarbon into cranial space and further removed through a lumbar puncture treatment. The patient showed a sudden onset of hypoxemia and hypotension during an ocular surgery, which was highly suspected as neurogenic pulmonary edema caused by the migrated perfluorocarbon. The patient's symptoms improved after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The perfluorocarbon gradually descended through subarachnoid space to lumbar cisterna and finally drained by a lumbar puncture. Conclusions: Perfluorocarbon could enter the cranial space during ocular surgery and threaten the life of patient. Further migrating through subarachnoid space provide the opportunity to remove it.