Abstract
Amaurosis fugax in a younger person in whom premature atherosclerotic disease and cardiac emboli have been eliminated is usually benign. We describe a 25year-old man with recurrent painless left monocular visual loss lasting from 5 to 45 minutes. Initial physical examination, carotid ultrasound, and electrocardiogram were normal. Goldmann visual field testing demonstrated a small, left paracentral defect. Neuroimaging studies were initially declined for economic reasons, but later a magnetic resonance image disclosed a large pituitary tumor displacing the left optic nerve and chiasm. The tumor was removed via a transphenoidal approach, and the episodic visual symptoms disappeared. We stress that amaurosis fugax in young patients is not necessarily benign. A specific etiology should be diligently sought, particularly when ocular signs are present.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 254-258 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - Dec 1991 |