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Left atrial myxoma causing ophthalmic artery occlusion
P E Rafuse1, D A Nicolle, C M Hutnik
1Department of Ophthalmology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Eye (London, England)
|January 1, 1997
Summary
A rare case of sudden vision loss in one eye was caused by an atrial myxoma, a heart tumor, leading to ophthalmic artery obstruction. This highlights the importance of considering cardiac sources for embolic events affecting the eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Atrial myxoma is a primary cardiac tumor, typically benign.
- Embolic events from cardiac tumors can lead to systemic or ocular complications.
- Ophthalmic artery obstruction is a rare but severe complication of embolic events.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old woman presented with acute neurological deficits and a painful eye.
- Ophthalmic examination revealed a "bone-white" fundus indicating lack of retinal and choroidal perfusion.
- MRI confirmed infarction in the ophthalmic artery distribution.
Findings:
- Echocardiogram identified a mobile mass on the left atrial septum, diagnosed as endocardial myxoma.
- Post-surgical Doppler studies confirmed persistent left ophthalmic artery occlusion.
- The patient experienced complete vision loss in the affected eye within two months.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare cause of acute ophthalmic artery occlusion.
- Atrial myxoma can present with embolic events affecting the eye.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of atrial myxoma are crucial to prevent systemic embolization and vision loss.