Hipoxic - ischemic Encephalopathy

Hipoxia and hypoperfusion are the responsible mechanisms for the development of hipoxic- ischemic encephalopathy of CNS. Visual cortex is an unusual target. Common causes of hipoxic- ischemic encephalopathy in adults are cardiac arrest, severe hypotension, trauma and drowning. In children, the leading causes are neonatal anoxia, abusive trauma and dehydration. Clinical manifestations of hipoxic- ischemic encephalopathy include bilateral vision loss in all cases and, less frequently, Balint- Holmes syndrome . (1) Although enduring damage to occipital cortex can be caused by hipoxic- ischemic encephalopathy (2), neuroimaging may be normal or misinterpreted as normal due to subtle signs that might be overlooked.(1) Differential diagnosis with psychogenic causes is mandatory.