scholarly journals Complications of Intra-Arterial tPA for Iatrogenic Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Case Report through Multimodal Imaging and Literature Review

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 963
Author(s):  
Katherine Dalzotto ◽  
Paige Richards ◽  
Tyler D. Boulter ◽  
Marilyn Kay ◽  
Mihai Mititelu

Background and Objectives: To document, through multimodal imaging, the post-procedural clinical course and visual outcome of a patient who received intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute iatrogenic branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), and to review the literature and guidelines regarding the use of tPA for retinal arterial occlusions. Methods: A 28-year-old female patient who sustained an iatrogenic BRAO and subsequently received intra-arterial tPA was followed through her post-interventional course of 3 months with serial exams and multimodal imaging, including color fundus photography, visual field testing, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and OCT angiography (OCT-A). Results: A patient with history of left internal cerebral artery (ICA) aneurysm and baseline visual acuity (VA) of 20/20 developed an acutely symptomatic BRAO after undergoing a neuroendovascular procedure and was acutely treated with tPA through the left ophthalmic artery. At two weeks follow-up, a central posterior pole hemorrhage was noted although VA was preserved. A superior altitudinal defect was shown on automated perimetry. VA dropped to 20/50 at 7 weeks follow-up and hyperreflective material deep to the attachment between the posterior hyaloid and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) consistent with hemorrhage was noted on SD-OCT. At 11 weeks follow-up, VA returned to 20/20, SD-OCT revealed a membrane bridging the foveal depression, OCT-A showed decreased vascularity in the inferior macula, and the visual field defect was stable by automated perimetry. Conclusions: Intraocular hemorrhage is a possible complication of intra-arterial tPA administration for BRAO, and a careful analysis of risks, benefits, and goals of this procedure must be considered by both provider and patient before such intervention.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jessica Ruzicki ◽  
Eric K. Chin ◽  
David Almeida

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) is typically associated with irreversible vision and peripheral visual field loss. We report a case of a 62-year-old woman with a BRAO related to several cardiovascular risk factors. Our patient encountered gradual but significant vision recovery months following carotid artery endarterectomy for carotid stenosis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 168-170
Author(s):  
M. Tariq Bhatti ◽  
Eric R. Eggenberger ◽  
Marie D. Acierno ◽  
John J. Chen

A 27-year-old man noted imbalance and staggering when walking. Vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and mild fever developed. This was presumed to be due to an inner ear infection, and antibiotics were prescribed. He began experiencing intermittent left face and arm numbness, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Audiography indicated low-frequency hearing loss in both ears, left worse than right. He reported headaches and neck stiffness, and his family noticed that he was moody, easily aggravated, and confused, with slow mentation. Magnetic resonance imaging showed patchy, nodular, leptomeningeal enhancement involving both cerebral hemispheres and the posterior fossa, with scattered hyperintense T2 signal changes of the internal capsule and prominent abnormal signal changes in the corpus callosum. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was remarkable for a markedly increased protein concentration and white blood cells. Eye examination showed 20/20 vision in both eyes with a superior visual field defect in the right eye. Retinal whitening was noted in the vascular distribution of the inferotemporal arcade. Intravenous fluorescein angiography showed delayed filling in this region consistent with a branch retinal artery occlusion and scattered areas of arteriolar wall hyperfluorescence. A diagnosis of Susac syndrome was made on the basis of the branch retinal artery occlusion, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and hearing deficit. Intravenous methylprednisolone was given, followed oral prednisone, which resulted in substantial improvement in headaches and cognition. Cyclophosphamide was also started at the same time as intravenous methylprednisolone. A new visual field defect developed due to a branch retinal artery occlusion in the left eye, which prompted initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin and transition from cyclophosphamide to rituximab. He had no recurrent branch retinal artery occlusions or other relapses of his underlying Susac syndrome on this treatment regimen. Susac syndrome was initially described as a microangiopathy of the brain and retina. It is an idiopathic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the brain, eye, and inner ear.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212096549
Author(s):  
Sourour Zina ◽  
Imen Ksiaa ◽  
Chiraz Abdelhedi ◽  
Hager Ben Amor ◽  
Sonia Attia ◽  
...  

Purpose: To describe multimodal imaging findings in a patient with idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) syndrome presenting with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO). Case description: A 33-year-old woman presented with acute BRAO in the right eye. A diagnosis of underlying IRVAN syndrome was made based on the presence of arteriolar aneurysms on the optic disc and along major arterioles and faint retinal hard exudates in both eyes. Eight months later, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. The hard exudates had increased, and there were extensive areas of peripheral retinal capillary nonperfusion without new vessels. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a localized retinal thinning corresponding to the prior BRAO. Fundus autofluorescence showed nodulo-linear periarterial hypoautofluorescence. OCT angiography (OCTA) showed localized ischemic changes, mainly involving the deep capillary plexus, corresponding to the area of resolved BRAO. It also clearly delineated the optic disc aneurysms. The patient received bilateral scatter laser photocoagulation directed to areas of peripheral capillary nonperfusion. Over a 6-month follow-up period, visual acuity remained unchanged, and there was no evidence of disease progression. Conclusion: Multimodal imaging, including fundus autofluorescence, OCT, and OCTA can provide additional valuable information in the evaluation of IRVAN syndrome complicated with BRAO.


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