Intraventricular migration of intraocular silicone oil: A rare case with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings

Abstract

Intraocular silicone oil (SiO) is widely used as a long-term internal tamponade agent in the surgical treatment of various vitreoretinal disorders. A rare but diagnostically critical complication of SiO is its migration into the brain ventricles. Although few such cases have been reported, this condition may mimic serious pathologies, such as intraventricular hemorrhage. In this case report, intraventricular migration of SiO was identified in an 81-year-old woman with a history of vitreoretinal surgery for diabetic retinopathy–related retinal detachment. The patient presented with dizziness, imbalance, and nausea, and neuroimaging revealed hyperdense layering within the bilateral frontal horns on noncontrast brain computed tomography. These findings may mimic acute intraventricular hemorrhage, highlighting the importance of clinical and radiological correlation for accurate differential diagnosis. Additionally, the patient was concurrently diagnosed with a cerebellar infarction. Awareness of this rare complication may help prevent unnecessary interventions and potential treatment errors in patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms.