scholarly journals Early Recognition of Stroke by Confrontation Visual Field Test – Is It Possible?

Introduction: Visual field loss is often the first sign of lesion of the anterior or posterior visual pathways. Screening for visual field defects should be a part of all routine eye examinations, mainly when neurological lesions are suspected. A confrontation visual field (CVF) test provide a rapid and practical method of visual field assessment, allowing the recognition of major neurological deficits. Materials and Research Methods: To report a case of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke early suspected by CVF test. Case-Report: A 77 year-old male presented to our emergency department with vision blurring complaints and a strange sensation of a vision loss on one side on the left eye (OS), for the previous 15 days. He explained that symptoms initiated after an episode of dizziness followed by lipothymia. He denied diplopia or headaches. Past history revealed hypertension and diabetes as cardiovascular risk factors. The best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 on right eye (OD) and 20/60 on OS and pupillary reflexes were normal. CVF test was performed and showed a decrease on left hemicampus of OS. The biomicroscopy was normal and the fundus examination showed optic nerve edema bilaterally, also documented by Optical Coherence Tomography. Considering the findings and the history, neuroimaging and a neurological observation were requested. Computerized axial tomography revealed a hypodense lesion in right occipital posterior region, with hematic density. He was hospitalized for proper treatment with the diagnosis of posterior cerebral artery ischemic stroke, with further hemorrhagic transformation. Discussion: In acute stroke, visual disorders may form all or part of the initial presentation. Homonymous visual field deficits are well-known almost universal characteristics of PCA ischemia, however, due to the absent of cognitive impairment or speech problems associated to many cases, the diagnosis can be challenging at early stages. Our case-report highlights the importance of using CVF test to an immediate inspection of the peripheral visual field, in order to detect acute major defects, including homonymous deficits, to understand if a further prompt neurological examination is mandatory.

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (04) ◽  
pp. 343-348
Author(s):  
Lucas Meguins ◽  
Antônio Spotti ◽  
Jean de Oliveira ◽  
Carlos Pereira ◽  
Ronaldo Fernandes ◽  
...  

Introduction Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) represent ∼ 1% of all intracranial aneurysms and usually present with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Objective The aim of the present study is to describe the case of an adult man presenting a saccular aneurysm of the right PCA at the posterior half of the postcommunicating (P2P) segment, and to discuss the technical nuances of the approach and of the clipping process. Case Report An investigation of a chronic headache in a 55-year-old man found a saccular aneurysm located just posterior to the most lateral portion of the right cerebral peduncle. A digital subtraction arteriography revealed a 7.8 mm × 5.6 mm × 4.8 mm posterior-medial projecting aneurysm of the right PCA at the P2P segment. A subtemporal approach was performed with partial aspiration of the right parahippocampal gyrus for a better exposure of the vascular structures. A proximal temporary occlusion of the PCA was performed at the anterior half of the postcommunicating P2A segment. The aneurysm was clipped with two semi-curved clips. The patient presented an uneventful recovery and was discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day without any additional neurological deficits. Conclusion Aneurysms of the PCA are an uncommon vascular disease that challenges the ability of the neurosurgeons due to their many anatomical nuances, to their vast number of perforators, and to the risk of bleeding. However, the operative management of aneurysms of the PCA is technically feasible, safe and effective when performed respecting microsurgical principles.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Taylor ◽  
Thomas A. Kopitnik ◽  
Duke S. Samson ◽  
Phillip D. Purdy

Object. The records of 30 patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms treated during a 12-year period were reviewed to determine outcome and the risk of visual field deficit associated with PCA sacrifice. Methods. Clinical data and treatment summaries for all patients were maintained in an electronic database. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were determined by an independent registrar. Visual field changes were determined by review of medical records. Twenty-eight patients were treated with open surgery, one of them after an attempt at detachable coil embolization failed. Two patients underwent successful endovascular PCA sacrifice. The mean GOS and mRS scores in 18 patients with unruptured aneurysms were 4 and 2, respectively, at discharge. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from other aneurysms and neurological deficits caused by the PCA lesion or underlying disease contributed to poor outcomes in this group. The mean GOS and mRS scores in 12 patients with ruptured aneurysms were 4 and 4, respectively, at discharge. One patient died of severe vasospasm. Neurological deficits secondary to SAH and, in one patient, treatment of a concomitant arteriovenous malformation contributed to poor outcomes in the patients with ruptured aneurysms. Seven patients with normal visual function preoperatively underwent PCA occlusion. One patient (14%) developed a new visual field deficit. Conclusions. Optimal treatment of PCA aneurysms is performed via one of several surgical approaches or by endovascular therapy. The approach is determined, in part, by the anatomical location and size of the aneurysm and the presence of underlying disease and neurological deficits.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Courtney M. Crawford ◽  
Bruce A. Rivers ◽  
Mark Nelson

Objective. To describe a case of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) in an active duty patient.Methods. In this paper we studied fundus photographs, optical coherence tomograph, Humphrey visual field 30-2, fundus autofluorescence images, fluorescein angiograms, and electroretinography.Results. Exam findings on presentation: a 34-year-old American Indian female presented with bilateral photopsias, early RPE irregularity, and an early temporal visual field defect. Progression RPE damage and visual field defect along with ERG findings support final diagnosis of AZOOR.Conclusion. AZOOR may initially be identified as a broader category of disease called the “AZOOR complex of disorders”. Specific visual field defects, ERG results, and clinical exam findings will help distinguish AZOOR from other similar disorders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
Yurie Fukiyama ◽  
Hidehiro Oku ◽  
Yusuke Hashimoto ◽  
Yuko Nishikawa ◽  
Masahiro Tonari ◽  
...  

It is not common for an isolated visual symptom to be the first indication of an aneurysm compressing the optic nerve. The compression can lead to blindness, and a recovery from the blindness is rare. We report a female with a left painless optic neuropathy caused by an unruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysm. The patient had a temporal hemianopic visual field defect, which progressed to blindness in the left eye, while the right visual function was not affected. A coil embolization of the aneurysm completely restored her visual acuity to 20/20. These findings suggest that aneurysmal lesions should be ruled out in case of unilateral optic neuropathy with hemianopic visual field defects and progressive visual loss.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. e000009
Author(s):  
Yong Chuan Chee ◽  
Beng Hooi Ong

ObjectiveHeading disorientation is a type of pure topographical disorientation. Reported cases have been very few and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. We report an unusual presentation of a 60-year-old man with recurrent transient heading disorientation heralding an acute posterior cerebral artery infarction.DesignCase report.ConclusionAcquired injury to the right retro-splenial region can result in a specific variant of topographical disorientation known as heading disorientation that may present as an atypical transient ischaemic attack-like symptom heralding acute cerebral infarction.


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