Dolichoectasia and cranial nerve palsies. A case report
1Department of Ophthalmology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Intracranial artery dolichoectasia, characterized by arterial elongation and distension, can cause neurological and ophthalmological symptoms. This condition should be considered in elderly patients presenting with cranial nerve palsies and signs mimicking a mass.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Intracranial artery dolichoectasia involves abnormal elongation and widening of cerebral arteries.
- It commonly affects men over 40, often with a history of hypertension.
- The condition can manifest with diverse neurological and ophthalmological signs.
Observation:
- An elderly male patient presented with acute left-sided palsies of cranial nerves III, V, and VII.
- The patient also had a history of glaucoma.
- Associated marked intracranial artery dolichoectasia was identified.
Findings:
- The patient's cranial nerve palsies were linked to significant intracranial artery dolichoectasia.
- Diagnosis of dolichoectasia relies on characteristic radiological findings.
- The presentation mimicked a space-occupying intracranial lesion.
Implications:
- Intracranial dolichoectasia is a critical differential diagnosis for acute neurological deficits, especially in older men.
- Recognition of dolichoectasia is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment planning.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal treatment of dolichoectasia is warranted.
