Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-5mhkq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-17T23:53:21.391Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Visual Recovery After Blindness From Pituitary Apoplexy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Andrew D. Parent*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
*
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A. 39216
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In a series of 11 patients with classic pituitary apoplexy, two patients had the acute onset of bilateral blindness. After transsphenoidal decompressive surgery both patients had useful recovery of vision. Although impairment of neurologic function appears irreversible when central nervous tissue has been compressed to the point of total loss of function it would appear that the optic chiasm may be an exception to this experience. Our review of the literature and our experience suggests that decompression can be worthwhile even late in the course of this disease and visual loss should not be treated expectantly.

Type
Special Supplement - Secreting Pituitary Adenomas
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1990

References

REFERENCES

1.Krueger, EG, Unger, SM, Roswit, B. Hemorrhage into pituitary ade-noma with spontaneous recovery and reossification of the sella turcica. Neurology (Minneap) 1960; 10: 691696.Google Scholar
2.Markowitz, S, Sherman, L, Kolodny, HD, et al. Acute pituitary vas-cular accident (pituitary apoplexy). Med Clin North Am 1981; 65(1): 105116.Google Scholar
3.Trautmann, JC, Laws, ER Jr. Visual status after transsphenoidal surgery at the Mayo Clinic, 1971–1982. Am J Ophthalmol 1983; 96: 200208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Henderson, WR. The pituitary adenomata — a follow-up study of the surgical results in 338 cases (Dr. Harvey Cushing’s series). Br J Surg 1939; 26: 811921.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Laws, ER Jr, Trautman, JC, Hollenhorst, RW. Transsphenoidal decompression of the optic nerve and chiasm — visual results in 62 patients. J Neurosurg 1977; 46: 717722.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Cohen, AR, Cooper, PR, Kupersmith, MJ, et al. Visual recovery after transsphenoidal removal of pituitary adenomas. Neurosurgery 1985; 17(3): 446452.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.McLarty, DG, Kermali, W, Makene, WJ. Pituitary tumours and blindness: continuation of the Pre-Harvey Cushing era in developing countries. Lancet 1982; 2: 810811.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Robinson, JL, Chir, B. Sudden blindness with pituitary tumors: report of 2 cases. J Neurosurg 1972; 36: 8385.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Shenkin, H. Relief of amblyopia in pituitary apoplexy by prompt surgical intervention. JAMA 1955; 159: 16221624.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Mohr, G, Hardy, J. Hemorrhage, necrosis, and apoplexy in pituitary adenomas. Surg Neurol 1982; 18(3): 181189.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Rovit, RL, Fein, JM. Pituitary apoplexy: a review and reappraisal. J Neurosurg 1972; 37: 280288.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Findlay, F, McFadzean, RM, Teasdale, G. Recovery of vision following treatment of pituitary tumours; application of a new system of assessment to patients treated by transsphenoidal operation. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1983; 68: 175186.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Striph, GG, Slamovits, TL, Burde, RM. Visual recovery following prolonged amaurosis due to compressive optic neuropathy. J Clin Neuro-ophthalmol 1984; 4: 189195.Google ScholarPubMed
14.Clifford-Jones, RE, Landon, DN, McDonald, Wl. Remyelination during optic nerve compression. J Neurol Sei 1980; 46: 239243.Google ScholarPubMed
15.Symon, L, Mohanty, S. Hemorrhage in pituitary tumours. Acta Neurochir 1982; 65: 41,49.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Waybright, EZ, Selhorst, JB, Young, HF, et al. Tumors compressing the optic nerve: diagnosis and surgical results. VA Med 1983; 110: 230234.Google ScholarPubMed
17.Goodman, JM, Gilson, M, Shapiro, B. Pituitary apoplexy — a cause of sudden blindness. J Indiana State Med Assoc 1973; 66: 320321.Google ScholarPubMed