Terson syndrome: CT evaluation in 12 patients.

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Publication Type Journal Article
School or College School of Medicine
Department Ophthalmology; Radiology; Neurosurgery; Neurology
Creator Swallow, Charles E.; Tsuruda, Jay S.; Digre, Kathleen B.; Glaser, Matthew J.; Davidson, H. Christian; Harnsberger, H. Ric
Title Terson syndrome: CT evaluation in 12 patients.
Date 1998-04
Description PURPOSE: Terson syndrome may be overlooked in the acute setting and often requires ophthalmologic intervention to prevent long-term visual loss. In this syndrome, vitreous or retinal hemorrhage results from an abrupt rise in intracranial pressure, leading to retinal venous hypertension and intraocular hemorrhage. Our objective was to determine whether imaging findings could be discovered that might facilitate an earlier diagnosis. METHODS: Our inpatient medical record data base for 1991-1996 listed 11 patients with Terson syndrome. The medical records of these 11 patients were reviewed retrospectively and compared with their noncontrast head CT scans and with scans of 10 control subjects. One additional case was discovered prospectively, for a total of 12 patients. Three radiologists unaware of the patients' history evaluated CT scans of the orbits for evidence of intraocular hemorrhage. RESULTS: CT findings in eight patients were suggestive of retinal hemorrhage manifested by a retinal crescent or nodule that was slightly hyperdense relative to the vitreous humor. There was a high degree of concordance between the retrospective and independent reviews. CONCLUSION: Retinal nodularity and crescentic hyperdensities are evident on CT scans in the majority of patients with Terson syndrome. Although findings are subtle and not present in all cases, in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage they suggest retinal hemorrhage and warrant detailed fundoscopic evaluation.
Type Text
Publisher American Society of Neuroradiology
Volume 19
Issue 4
First Page 743
Last Page 747
Subject Retinal Hemorrhage; Visual Acuity; Vitreous Hemorrhage
Subject MESH Retinal Hemorrhage; Visual Acuity; Vitreous Hemorrhage
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Swallow CE, Tsuruda JS, Digre KB, Glaser MJ, Davidson HC, Harnsberger HR. Terson syndrome: CT evaluation in 12 patients. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1998 Apr;19(4):743-7. Retrieved on February 26th, 2007 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=Display&DB=pubmed
Rights Management Copyright © AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 19, 743-7, 1998
Format Medium application/pdf
Identifier ir-main,813
ARK ark:/87278/s6qr5f71
Setname ir_uspace
ID 702582
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6qr5f71
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