Blindness due to sellar region tumor caused apoplexy: visual field investigation helps the diagnosis
Lao, Y.X.
Chinese Medical Journal 93(7): 465-473
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 6772393 Document Number: 155570
Chiasmal region tumor-caused apoplexy it is not uncommon. Since its clinical picture is varied and complicated, early diagnosis is difficult. Seven cases are reported with marked visual loss as the presenting symptom. Visual fields all revealed definite chiasmal lesions and indicated neurosurgery. Postoperative results were encouraging. The important symptoms and signs of this apoplexy are abrupt severe headache, nausea, vomiting, meningeal irritation, loss of visual function, ocular palsy and symptoms caused by the tumor itself. These symptoms may be mild or severe, may improve and then relapse and may appear simultaneously or successionally. Onset is usually abrupt and the disease may subside gradually or end in death. Visual field examination is important to make a correct diagnosis. In many reports the diagnosis is made only at operation or autopsy.