title: Acute retrobulbar optic neuropathy due to rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The vast majority of ruptured aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery typically present with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Isolated visual complaints are very uncommon in this setting. We present an unusual case of a patient with an acute retrobulbar optic neuropathy, secondary to a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 29-year-old woman was assessed for an acute, isolated unilateral optic neuropathy of unknown origin. Although an initial encephalic MRI was believed to be normal, an underlying ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was eventually diagnosed when the patient became stuporous because of intracranial bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occurrence of an acute retrobulbar optic neuropathy may be the initial isolated sign related to a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm, prompting an appropriate neuroradiological assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Claes
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milea
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bodaghi
authors.forename: Thi Ha Chau
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Phuc
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: LeHoang
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blanc
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields