[Ocular complications of intracarotid chemotherapies with nitrosourea agents]

The authors report ocular complications in intracarotid chemotherapy with Nitrosyl-urea on 39 patients with intracerebral malignant tumor (anaplastic astrocytoma). Internal carotid infusion catheter was in infra-ophthalmic position. They also report 13 ocular complications (33% of cases) as arterial retinal occlusions essentially, ipsilateral to catheter site. Their study and literature revue emphasize five ocular toxicity factors; intracarotid catheter position, type of drug, its quantity, its solubility and solvent, the rate of infusion.