Ocular ischemic syndrome: A classical presentation of an uncommon condition.

We report a 47-year-old male who presented with acute monoocular vision loss, and had classical signs of global ocular ischemia in the right eye. Fundus fl uorescein angiography demonstrated delayed choroidal fi lling and no perfusion of retinal vasculature. Carotid Doppler and computed tomogram (CT) angiography studies revealed extensive bilateral atherosclerotic disease involving the carotid circulation. Ophthalmologists must be aware of the possibility of this potentially fatal condition, which is extremely rare. An astute clinical diagnosis, targeted workup for systemic associations and a prompt referral may turn out to be life-saving.

A Case of Cerebral Infarction due to Carotid Arterial Obstruction following General Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

We report a case of acute cerebral infarction after general anesthesia. A 55-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and splenectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Preoperatively, he has complained headache and dizziness for a year but neurologist, internist and anesthesiologist could not find any sign of cerebrovascular diseases. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with 50% N2O and 1.5-2% enflurane in oxygen. After approximately 4h in the recovery room, he was not regained his consciousness. On physical examination, there was right hemiplegia. Immediate brain CT revealed acute cerebral infarction in left MCA and ACA territory. He was transported SICU. The following day he had a carotid Doppler ultrasonography that showed complete obstruction of both ICA. Neurologic examination showed negative eye reflex and pupil full dilation. He was discharged in a hopeless situation.

Clinical Study of Carotid Occlusive Disease

The authors analyzed the stroke patients admitted to department of neurosurgery and neurology of Seoul National University Hospital between 1980 and 1987. Among the 883 ischemic stroke patients angiography was performed in 158 cases. Twenty-two cases of atherosclerotic carotid occlusive disease were detected. The peak incidence of carotid occlusive disease was in the 6th decade and sex ratio of male to female was 2.7:1. Most of patients had a long history of repeated ischemic attacks and the common symptoms and signs on admission were motor weakness, speech disturbance, sensory change and visual disturbance. The associated diseases were hypertension(40.9%), hyperlipidemia(31.8%), hyperuricemia(27.3%), dysarhythmia(22.7%), heart disease(27.2%) and diabetes mellitus(13.6). CT findings showed lesions on the middle cerebral artery(MCA) territory most frequently(40.9%) then watershed zone infarct(18.2%) and diffuse brain atrophy(18.2%). Angiographic findings showed multiple lesions in 50% and lesion sites were proximal internal carotid artery(ICA) in 51.9% then cavernous portion, supraclinoid portion, petrosal portion and extracranial distal ICA in order of frequency. Clinical outcomes after the medical or surgical treatment were improved in 45.5%, stable in 45.5% and late worsening in 9.1%.