Optic nerve compression by a dolichoectatic internal carotid artery: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Compression of the optic nerve by a dolichoectatic internal carotid artery is a rare and correctable cause of visual loss.


METHODS
A young woman presented with right eye visual loss without obvious cause and was found to have compression of the right optic nerve by the ipsilateral internal carotid artery, as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging.


METHODS
Pterional craniotomy and decompression of the optic nerve by unroofing the optic canal resulted in improvement of vision in the affected eye.


CONCLUSIONS
Compression of the optic nerve by a dolichoectatic internal carotid artery may produce visual loss. The disorder is well demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging, and timely intervention can improve vision.
Colapinto
E V
EV
Division of Neurosurgery, Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
Cabeen
M A
MA
Johnson
L N
LN
D000328:Adult; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology