Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cavernous malformations of the optic chiasma

  • Clinical Articles
  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Two cases of cavernous malformation of the optic chiasm are reported, and 12 previously reported cases are reviewed.

The first patient presented with gradually progressive and the second patient with a subacute chiasmal syndrome. Total excision was performed in both cases. Visual function improved slightly after surgery in the first patient while the other showed marked improvement.

Although cavernous malformations are angiographically occult, pre-operative diagnosis has become possible based on the characteristic features such as repeated haemorrhages in multiple sinusoidal structures as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A gliotic interspace between the malformation and normal neural tissue provides a plane of cleavage for dissection which permits total excision without causing new deficits.

Review of previously reported cases revealed that chiasmal cavernous malformations haemorrhage more frequently than those in the brain. Early diagnosis with total excision is the treatment of choice for cavernous malformations of the optic chiasma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bradley WG (1988) MRI of hemorrhage and iron in the brain. In: Stark DD, Bradley WG (eds) Magnetic resonance imaging. Mosby, St. Louis

    Google Scholar 

  2. Carter JE, Wymore J, Ansbacher L, Reid WS (1982) Sudden visual loss and chiasmal syndrome due to an intrachiasmatic vascular malformation. J Clin Neuroophthalmol 2: 163–167

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Castel JP, Delorge-Kerdiles C, Rivel J (1989) Cavernous angioma of the optic chiasma. Neurochirurgie 35: 252–256

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Corboy JR, Galetta SL (1989) Familial cavernous angiomas manifesting with an acute chiasmal syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 108: 245–250

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Diamond C, Torvik A, Amundsen P (1976) Angiographic diagnosis of telangiectases with cavernous angioma of the posterior fossa. Report of two cases. Acta Radiol Diagn 17: 281–288

    Google Scholar 

  6. Fermaglich J, Kattah J, Manz H (1978) Venous angioma of the optic chiasm. Ann Neurol 4: 470–471

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Gomori JM, Grossman RI, Goldberg HI, Zimmerman RA, Bilaniuk LT (1985) Intracranial hematomas: imaging by high field MR. Radiology 157: 87–92

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hankey GJ, Khangure MS (1987) Chiasmal apoplexy due to intrachiasmatic vascular malformation rupture. Aust NZJ Med 17: 444–446

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hassler W, Zentner J, Wilhelm H (1989) Cavernous angiomas of the anterior visual pathways. J Clin Neuroophthalmol 9: 160–164

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hayman LA, Mcardle JD, Bradley WG, Taber K, Baskin D, Zayed A, Kirkpatricks J, Bryan RN (1987) Role of clot formation in MR imaging of blood (abstract). Radiology 165 (P): 402

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hufnagel TJ, Cobbs WH (1988) Microangiomes et apoplexie optochiasmatique. J Fr Ophtalmol 11: 81–84

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lavin PJM, McCrary III JA, Roessmann U, Ellenberger C JR (1984) Chiasmal apoplexy: hemorrhage from a cryptic vascular malformation in the optic chiasm. Neurology 34: 1007–1011

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lejeune JP, Hladky JP, Dupard T, Parent M, Hache JC, Christiens JL (1990) Chiasmal apoplexy. Neurochirurgie 36: 303–307

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Maitland CG, Abiko S, Hoyt W, Wilson CB, Okamura T (1982) Chiasmal apoplexy. Report of four cases. J Neurosurg 56: 118–122

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Malik S, Cohen BH, Robinson J, Fried A, Sila CA (1992) Progressive vision loss. A rare manifestation of familial cavernous angiomas. Arch Neurol 49: 170–173

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Manz HJ, Klein LH, Fermaglich J, Kattah J, Luessenhop AJ (1979) Cavernous hemangioma of optic chiasm, optic nerves and right optic tract. Case report and review of literature. Virchows Archiv (A) 383: 225–231

    Google Scholar 

  17. Maruoka N, Yamakawa Y, Shimauchi M (1988) Cavernous hemangioma of the optic nerve. Case report. J Neurosurg 69: 292–294

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Mohr G, Hardly J, Gauvin P (1985) Chiasmal apoplexy due to ruptured cavernous hemangioma of the optic chiasm. Surg Neurol 24: 636–640

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Regli L, De Tribolet N, Regli F, Bogousslavsky J (1989) Chiasmal apoplexy: haemorrhage from a cavernous malformation in the optic chiasma. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 52: 1095–1099

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Reilly PL, Oatey PE (1986) Optic nerve apoplexy. Report of two cases. J Neurosurg 64: 313–316

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rigamonti D, Hadley MN, Drayer BP, Johnson PC, Hoenig-Rigamonti K, Knight JT, Spetzler RF (1988) Cerebral cavernous malformations. Incidence and familial occurrence. N Engl J Med 319: 343–347

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Riishede J, Seedorff HH (1974) Spontaneous hematoma of the optic chiasma: report of a case. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 52: 317–322

    Google Scholar 

  23. Robinson JR, Awad IA, Little JR (1991) Natural history of the cavernous angioma. J Neurosurg 75: 709–714

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Roski RA, Gardner JH, Spetzler RF (1981) Intrachiasmatic arteriovenous malformation. Case report. J Neurosurg 54: 540–541

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Savoiardo M, Passerini A (1978) CT, angiography and RN-scans in intracranial cavernous hemangiomas. Neuroradiology 16: 256–260

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Steinberg GK, Marks MP, Shuer LM, Sogg RL, Enzmann DR, Silverberg GD (1990) Occult vascular malformations of the optic chiasm: magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis and surgical laser resection. Neurosurgery 27: 466–470

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. K. Baskaya

    Present address: Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ibni Sina Hospital, 06100, Ankara, Turkey

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya

    M. Shibuya,  M. K. Baskaya, K. Saito, Y. Suzuki, K. Ooka & M. Hara

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Ichinomiya City Hospital, Ichinomiya, Japan

    M. Hara

Authors
  1. M. Shibuya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. K. Baskaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K. Saito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Y. Suzuki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K. Ooka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Hara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shibuya, M., Baskaya, M.K., Saito, K. et al. Cavernous malformations of the optic chiasma. Acta neurochir 136, 29–36 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01411432

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01411432

Keywords

Search

Navigation