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Show Journal of Nairn- Ophthalmology 18( 2): 158, 1998. © 1998 Lippincolt- Ravcn Publishers, Philadelphia Literature Abstracts- Europe Fusiform Aneurysms ( Dolichoectasia) of the Internal Carotid Artery as Cause of Optic Nerve Damage. Hu-ber A. Neuro ophthalmology 1997; 18: 141- 5. [ Reprint requests to Prof. Dr. A. Huber, University Hospital Ziirich, c/ o Stockerstrasse 38, CH- 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.] A dolichoectatic internal carotid artery is a rare cause for compressive optic neuropathy. This paper describes a 50- year- old patient with progressive loss of vision in the left eye. Because of borderline intraocular pressure, treatment for glaucoma was initiated. Subsequently the patient developed a relative afferent pupillary defect, and subtotal optic atrophy OS MRI and MRI angiography were performed to rule out a compressive lesion in the orbit. MRI angiography showed a pronounced irregular ectatic dilatation of the internal carotid artery more pronounced on the left side. This case illustrated a problem that may be more common than assumed. Excavation of the optic disc is not only seen in patients with glaucoma ( afferent denervation of the optic nerve), but also in compressive optic neuropathy ( retrograde optic atrophy). Therefore a careful history and sometimes additional neuroimaging should be applied in such cases. Acquired Peripapillary Myelination Associated With Chronic Papilloedema. Burdon MA, Sanders MD. Neu-roophthalmology 1997; 17: 31- 4. [ Reprint requests to Mr. M. D. Sanders, FRCP, FRCS, Consultant. Department of Neuro- Ophthalmology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WCIN 3BG, United Kingdom.] Myelinated retinal nerve fibers are found in up to 1 % of a normal population. Acquired progressive retinal my-elinization, however, is extremely rare. Burdon and Sanders in this paper report the case of a 21- year- old woman who was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension in 1974. At that time a small area of peripapillary myelinization was documented in the right eye. Two years later this area of myelination was noted to have enlarged. In 1982, peripapillary myelination was noted in the left eye as well. Subsequently myelination increased gradually in both eyes. Based on a review of H. Esriel Killer, M. D. the literature, the authors conclude that the myelination observed in this patient was produced by Schwann cells that migrated from the peripheral nervous system into the retina by a not yet known trigger. Serous Retinal Detachment With Swelling of the Optic Disc After a Bee Sting. Killer HE, Eggmann AM, Forrer A. Neuroophthalmology 1997; 18: 153- 5. [ Reprint requests to H. E. Killer, M. D., Augenklinik, Kantonsspi-tal Aarau, CH- 5001 Aarau, Switzerland.] Toxins from the Hymenoptera species are well known to cause a multitude of neuroophthalmic complications such as optic neuritis, microvascular encephalopathy, C. Miller- Fischer syndrome, and many more. This report describes a patient who developed a serous retina] detachment due to global breakdown of the outer blood retinal barrier. This was postulated to be caused by a serum sickness- like immune reaction 5 weeks after a bee sting. Antibody titers to bee toxins were highly elevated in this case and circulating immune complexes were above normal values. Does Horner's Syndrome in Infancy Require Investigation? George NDL, Gonzalez G, Hoyt CS. Br J Ophthalmol 1998; 82: 51- 4. [ Reprint requests to Mr. N. D. L. George, Department of Ophthalmology, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Belmont Grove, Leeds LS2 9NS, United Kingdom.] Anisocoria in an infant is a bothersome finding for the pediatrician and is suggestive of a diagnosis of Horner's syndrome. This paper reviews 23 charts of patients diagnosed with Horner's syndrome in the first year of life. In three cases, severe birth trauma was noted. Cervical neuroblastoma, abdominal neuroblastoma, and apical ganglioneuroma were the cause of Horner's syndrome in an additional three patients. The authors conclude that based on their data routine diagnostic imaging is unnecessary. 158 |