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Published on: October 18, 2011
Radiation-associated cerebral blindness
H D Pomeranz1, J W Henson, S Lessell
1Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 21, 1998
Summary
This case report details blindness from white-matter injury after whole brain irradiation for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Radiation-induced optic radiation damage caused cortical blindness in this patient.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Radiation oncology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can spread to the brain, necessitating treatment like whole brain irradiation.
- Radiation therapy, while effective, carries risks of neurotoxicity, including white-matter injury.
Observation:
- A patient treated for metastatic RCC developed progressive vision loss months after whole brain irradiation.
- Neuro-ophthalmologic examinations revealed a decline in visual acuity to hand motions in both eyes.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed white-matter abnormalities in the parietal and occipital lobes, affecting the optic radiations.
- The observed white-matter changes were consistent with radiation injury, leading to cortical blindness.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare instance of radiation-induced white-matter injury causing severe visual impairment.
- Understanding such complications is crucial for managing patients with brain metastases and optimizing radiation protocols.
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