Optic nerve arteriovenous malformation causing optic apoplexy: case report.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular malformations in the optic pathway are rare. Only one case of pathologically confirmed arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the optic nerve has been reported previously. We document the case of a patient with an optic nerve AVM who presented with optic apoplexy that was diagnosed with the use of magnetic resonance imaging.


METHODS
A 15-year-old girl developed left visual disturbance of sudden onset while playing badminton. A magnetic resonance imaging scan disclosed left optic nerve swelling and intraoptical hemorrhage, although an angiogram did not reveal abnormal vessels.


METHODS
The patient underwent total removal of the hematoma and tangles of the abnormal vessels in the left optic nerve, which was diagnosed pathologically as an AVM. The patient recovered visual acuity, but the left visual field defect remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Along with cavernous malformations and optic gliomas, AVMs can be a rare cause of optic nerve apoplexy. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is useful in rendering the diagnosis of an optic nerve AVM, observed as a mass lesion consisting of serpiginous, tangled, low-intensity bands. Early surgical treatment is recommended to obtain a rapid recovery.
Muragaki
Yoshihiro
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Neurological Institute, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan. ymuragaki@nij.twmu.ac.jp
Ujiie
Hiroshi
H
Ohno
Masayuki
M
Kubo
Osami
O
Hori
Tomokatsu
T
D000293:Adolescent; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields