Spontaneous retrobulbar hemorrhage in a patient with breast cancer: A case report

PURPOSE: We present spontaneous retrobulbar hemorrhage in a 52-year-old woman with history of breast cancer and tamoxifen intake which was first thought to be an orbital metastasis. CASE REPORT: A 52-year-old woman with history of breast cancer and tamoxifen intake was referred due to severe proptosis and visual loss. Orbital imaging showed an intra-conal mass. After exploration, multiple fragments of dark brown mass in the retrobulbar area were excised. Microscopic diagnosis was blood clot. All of clinical signs and symptoms were improved 1 week after operation. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous retrobulbar hemorrhage is a rare condition that may have unknown etiologies, and its symptoms may mimic orbital metastasis. Since both breast cancer and tamoxifen intake can cause coagulation disorders, they might be possible causes for retrobulbar hemorrhage in this case.