Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-qs9v7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-08T17:12:12.801Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Visual Dysfunction with Basal Skull Tumours

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

James A. Sharpe*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto
*
427 Edith Cavell Wing, 427 Edith Cavell Wing, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Early detection of visual loss caused by tumours of the base of the skull is accomplished by systematic tests of the pregeniculate optic pathway. Even when central acuity is relatively preserved, a relative afferent pupillary defect and reduced color perception yield evidence of impaired optic nerve conduction. Although confrontation tests of the visual fields are useful screening techniques, unexplained symptoms should be pursued with static and kinetic perimetry. Patterns of optic nerve and chiasmal field loss and atrophy of the disc or retinal nerve fibers are imprecise guides to the location of basal skull tumours. Regardless of the pattern of visual field defect, unexplained progressive loss of vision demands intensive neuroradiologic study of the basal cisterns and skull.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1985

References

REFERENCES

1.Hoyt, WF, Meschel, LG, Lessell, S , et al. Malignant optic glioma of adulthood. Brain 1973;96:121132.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Jefferson, G.On compression and invasion of the optic nerves and chiasm by neighbouring gliomas. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 1945;65:262304.Google Scholar
3.Rutka, JD, Sharpe, JA, Resch, L, et al. Compressive optic neuropa-thy and ependymoma of the third ventricle. J Clin Neuro-ophthalmol 1985 (in press).Google ScholarPubMed
4.Knight, CL, Hoyt, WF, Wilson, CB. Syndrome of incipient prechiasmal optic nerve compression. Arch Ophthalmol 1972; 87:111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Rosenstein, J and Symon, L.Surgical management of suprasellar meningioma. Part 2: Prognosis for visual function following craniotomy. J Neurosurg 1984; 61:642648.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Wilson, P. and Falconer, MA.Patterns of visual failure with pituitary adenomas: clinical and radiological correlates. Br J Ophthalmol 1968;52:94110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Thompson, HS, Montague, P, Cox, TA, et al. The relationship between visual acuity, pupillary defect, and visual field loss. Amer J Ophthalmol 1982; 93:681688.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Sharpe, JA.The pupils. Amer Academy of Neurology. Neuro- ophthalmology Course 1984; 244:7588.Google Scholar
9.Bell, RA and Thompson, HS.Relative afferent pupillary defects in optic tract hemianopias. Am J Ophthalmol 1978; 85:538540.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Trobe, JD, Acosta, P, Krischer, JP, et al. Confrontation visual field techniques in detection of anterior visual pathway lesions. Ann Neurol 1981; 10:2834.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Hoyt, WF.Correlative functional anatomy of the optic chiasm. Clinical Neurosurg 1969; 17:189208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Frisèn, L.The cornerstones of perimetric strategy. In: Thompson, HS, ed. Topics in Neuro-Ophthalmology. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1979: 519.Google Scholar
13.McDonald, WI.The symptomatology of tumours of the anterior visual pathways. The JL Silversides Lecture. Can J Neurol Sciences 1982;9:381390.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Jacobson, SG, Eames, RA, McDonald, Wl.Optic nerve fibre lesions in adult cats: patterns of recovery of spatial vision. Exp Brain Res 1979; 36:491508.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.White, OB and Sharpe, JA.Retinal nerve fibre atrophy in compres- sion of the chiasm: a prognostic sign. Can J Neurol Sciences 1980; 7:327.Google Scholar
16.Lundstrom, M and Frisen, L.Atrophy of optic nerve fibres in compression of the chiasm. Acta Ophthalmol 1976; 54:623640.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17.Trobe, JD.Chromophobe adenoma presenting with a hemianopic temporal arcuate scotoma. Amer J Ophthalmol 1974;77:388392.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed