title: Bilateral cortical blindness: an unusual complication following unilateral neck dissection.
abstract: We present the case of a 50-year-old man who developed bilateral cortical blindness and confusion following a seemingly uneventful right-sided radical neck dissection. Computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed bilateral occipital lobe infarctions. To our knowledge, there are no previously documented reports of this clinical event following head and neck surgical procedures. Although this is a rare occurrence, otolaryngologists should be aware of this potential post-operative complication. The possible aetiologies of this condition are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: P L A
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macnamara
mesh_terms: D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000209:etiology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000098:blood supply