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Author Spotlight: Minimally Invasive Relief for Occipital Neuralgia at the Nuchal Line
Published on: September 13, 2024
Tarik Syndrome: Reversible Postoperative Blindness Secondary to Occipital Seizures
Andrea M Ziegler1, Drew A Spencer2, Russ P Nockels2
1Departments of Otolaryngology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Background:
Postoperative blindness is a devastating surgical complication. Although usually associated with prolonged cardiac and prone spinal operations, it may follow other procedures as well. Postoperative blindness is most commonly caused by a vascular etiology, but it can more rarely be caused by status epilepticus. We have previously reported a case of this phenomenon following a staged spinal deformity surgery.
Case Description:
Here we report 2 additional cases following a skull base procedure and a single stage lumbar spine surgery. In all instances, rapid recognition that the patients' blindness was due to occipital seizures resulted in acute antiepileptiform treatment and full restoration of vision.
Conclusions:
Although a rare phenomenon, this syndrome, first recognized and described by Tarik F. Ibrahim, should be considered in any patient with postoperative visual impairment.
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