Transient Diplopia After Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block: A Case Report

Abstract

Ocular disturbances, such as diplopia, blurred vision, retrobulbar pain etc. after mandibular inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) have been reported on rare occasions. Transient diplopia after IANB is a temporary ocular presentation in which two images of a single object is perceived simultaneously.Various theories have been put forth, supporting the possible explanation of this phenomenon such as accidentalretro flow of local anesthetic agent through the inferior alveolar artery to the orbital region, or its inadvertent entry into the venous system thereby reaching the cavernous sinus through emissary veins affecting cranial nerves III, IV, and VI, or a local anesthetic misadventure initiating sympathetic impulse traveling to the ophthalmic artery. Fortunately, most observed symptoms are temporary and self – limited, but they can be rather distressing to both patients and surgeons. This case report describes a 44-year-old female patient who developed transient diplopia following IANB. Key Words: Diplopia, Inferior alveolar nerve block, Transient.