Bilateral visual loss and disc edema in a 15-year-old girl

Surv Ophthalmol. 1994 Jan-Feb;38(4):365-70. doi: 10.1016/0039-6257(94)90074-4.

Abstract

A 15-year-old girl with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for congenital hydrocephalus presented with bilateral visual loss and disc edema. Although a CT scan showed no change in ventricular size, subsequent evaluation revealed elevated intracranial pressure and shunt malfunction. Initial visual loss was secondary to chronic papilledema. The rapid reduction of longstanding elevated intracranial pressure may have contributed to worsening of visual function after shunt revision. Subsequent optic nerve sheath fenestration did not improve visual function. In patients with treated hydrocephalus and symptoms of signs of raised intracranial pressure, shunt malfunction should be suspected even if neuro-imaging proves unremarkable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Conference
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Blindness / diagnosis*
  • Blindness / etiology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery
  • Papilledema / diagnosis*
  • Papilledema / etiology
  • Reoperation
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / adverse effects
  • Visual Acuity