Bilateral cortical blindness after lumbar spine surgery. A case report.
METHODS
A report of the unusual perioperative complication of bilateral cortical blindness after lumbar spine surgery. The hypothetical causes that can lead to this syndrome in spine surgery and the precautions are discussed.


OBJECTIVE
The circumstances surrounding the occurrence of perioperative cortical blindness, the explanation of possible mechanisms, and the patients at risk are evaluated.


BACKGROUND
There have been no similar reports.


METHODS
Case report with description of the syndrome of cortical blindness, the diagnostic tools, and the different pathophysiologic causes.


RESULTS
The severe impairment of visual capacities remained unchanged; some color discrimination and the differentiation between dark and daylight were possible.


CONCLUSIONS
In obese patients (body mass index > 30) puncture of the subclavian vein and rotating and positioning of the patient in one step should be performed carefully.
Huber
J F
JF
Schulthessclinic, Zurich, Switzerland.
Grob
D
D
D000368:Aged; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000293:injuries; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed