[Scotomatous defects in the central visual field, associated with pituitary tumor--a case report (author's transl)]

A rare case which showed scotomatous defects in the left central visual field was presented. A 51 year-old man was admitted to our clinic because of the visual deterioration. In neuroradiological examinations the left carotid angiography showed elevation of both A1 portions and CT suggested pituitary tumor. On February 5, 1980 radical operation was carried out, in which it was confirmed that part of the optic nerve was concave and split longitudinally with a compression of the pituitary adenoma. Postoperative course was uneventful and recovery from the defects in the central visual field was quickly. In this case longitudinal splitting of unilateral optic nerve, caused by gradual compression of supra- or parasellar tumor, was considered as one cause of scotomatous defects in the central visual field. In addition, visual status of forty six cases of pituitary adenoma which had been operated at our clinic during the past fourteen years was analysed both pre- and post-operatively, compared with the case described above.