Cortical blindness: an unusual complication after removal of a ganglioneuroma of the neck.
A 5-year-old girl was operated upon after a huge mass had been found on the left side of her neck. Preoperatively the anatomy was studied using MRI, including 3D-reconstruction of the tumor. The left vertebral artery was seen to cross the tumor, and during the operation the vessel was preserved. Postoperatively it thrombosed and a permanent cortical blindness developed. One year later MRI angiography of the intracerebral vessels was performed and a pre-existing anomaly of the circle of Willis was demonstrated, which had contributed to the development of the cortical blindness.
Leuthardt
R
R
Chirurgische Universitätsklinik und Kinderklinik, Inselspital Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. rudolf.leuthardt@insel.ch
Petralli
C
C
Lütschg
J
J
von Schweinitz
D
D
Kaiser
G
G
D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002941:Circle of Willis / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*