Cilioretinal artery occlusions following embolization of an artery to an intracranial meningioma

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;244(3):401-3. doi: 10.1007/s00417-005-0054-z. Epub 2005 Jul 30.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case in which a prophylactic embolization of a feeder artery to an intarcranial meningioma led to an occlusion of a cilioretinal artery.

Design: A case report.

Methods: A 48-year-old man with an intracranial meningioma presented with ocular pain and visual loss in his right eye following embolization of a feeder artery to the meningioma with polyvinyl alcohol.

Results: Ophthalmoscopy 1 month later showed a cilioretinal artery occlusion which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. His visual acuity was 0.01 in the right eye. The patient was not treated for his ocular symptoms, and his visual acuity 9 month postoperatively improved slightly to 0.1.

Conclusions: Our case demonstrated that an occlusion of a retinal artery can be a complication of preoperative embolization of an artery to an intracranial tumor and can lead to severe visual loss.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / etiology
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects*
  • Ciliary Arteries / pathology*
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningeal Arteries / drug effects*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Meningioma / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol / adverse effects
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / etiology*
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Polyvinyl Alcohol