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Vision Loss Following Vertebral Artery Injury during Surgery for Atlantoaxial Instability
Atul Goel1, Sagar Bhambere2, Abhidha Shah2
1Department of Neurosurgery, K.E.M. Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, Parel; Department of Neurosurgery , Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Neurology India
|November 22, 2022
Summary
Atlantoaxial fixation surgery can rarely cause vision loss due to vertebral artery injury. This complication, though infrequent, can lead to severe visual impairment or blindness.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Complications following atlantoaxial fixation surgery are documented.
- Visual loss after vertebral artery injury during this procedure has not been previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report vision loss as a complication of vertebral artery injury during atlantoaxial fixation surgery.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two patients undergoing Goel technique for atlantoaxial fixation.
- In both cases, vertebral artery injury occurred and the artery was sacrificed.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced severe vision loss post-surgery.
- One patient showed partial visual recovery, while the other remained blind.
Conclusions:
- Visual loss is a potential, albeit rare, complication of vertebral artery sacrifice during atlantoaxial stabilization surgery.
