Transient Visual Obscurations Without Papilloedema as the Heralding Symptom of Chiasmal Compression

ABSTRACT

Transient visual obscurations (TVOs) represent brief ischaemic events of the optic nerve. These most commonly occur in the setting of raised intracranial pressure or more localised aetiologies within the orbit that result in decreased perfusion pressure. Transient vision loss has rarely been associated with pituitary tumours or optic chiasm compression, but details are lacking. We describe classic TVOs that completely resolved following resection of a pituitary macroadenoma causing chiasmal compression with a relatively normal eye examination. Clinicians should consider neuro-imaging in patients with TVOs and a normal evaluation.

KEYWORDS:

• Transient visual obscurations
• pituitary adenoma
• macroadenoma
• optic chiasm
• chiasmal compression

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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Funding

The authors reported that there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.