BACKGROUND: Acute chiasmal compression has several aetiologies including pituitary apoplexy, a medical emergency caused by acute haemorrhagic or ischemic infarction in pituitary macroadenomas. Clinical diagnosis can often be difficult as the patient is frequently unaware of an existing adenoma. Delayed diagnosis may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. AIM: We describe a rarely presenting case report of acute chiasmal compression with unusual visual symptoms of hemifield slide, with initial delayed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of this infrequently presenting visual phenomenon may aid in rapid diagnosis, appropriate imaging and intervention leading to improved visual and systemic outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Acute chiasmal compression has several aetiologies including pituitary apoplexy, a medical emergency caused by acute haemorrhagic or ischemic infarction in pituitary macroadenomas. Clinical diagnosis can often be difficult as the patient is frequently unaware of an existing adenoma. Delayed diagnosis may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. AIM: We describe a rarely presenting case report of acute chiasmal compression with unusual visual symptoms of hemifield slide, with initial delayed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of this infrequently presenting visual phenomenon may aid in rapid diagnosis, appropriate imaging and intervention leading to improved visual and systemic outcomes.
Authors: Latika Sibal; Steve G Ball; Vincent Connolly; Robert A James; Philip Kane; William F Kelly; Pat Kendall-Taylor; David Mathias; Petros Perros; Richard Quinton; Bijay Vaidya Journal: Pituitary Date: 2004 Impact factor: 4.107