[Delayed postanoxic encephalopathy with visual field disturbance after strangulation: a case report].

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Forensic Medicine

Background:

• Delayed postanoxic encephalopathy is a rare neurological condition.
• Strangulation can lead to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old woman developed delayed postanoxic encephalopathy with quadrantic hemianopia six days after strangulation.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral striatal abnormalities and a right occipital cortical lesion.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed reduced blood flow in the right occipital lobe and striatum.

Findings:

• The patient presented with delayed postanoxic encephalopathy and visual field disturbance.
• MRI and SPECT findings indicated lesions and hypoperfusion in the occipital lobe and striatum.
• The occipital lesion and hemianopia showed regression over four months.

Implications:

• This case suggests strangulation can cause delayed postanoxic encephalopathy with specific occipital lobe involvement.
• Venous congestion, in addition to arterial ischemia, may contribute to brain damage in strangulation.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for diagnosing and managing post-strangulation neurological deficits.