Biomaterial Database

Bilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathy after lumbar spine surgery. 2003

Marjorie A Murphy

Department of Ophthalmology, APC 7, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown Medical School, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.

OBJECTIVE To report a case of bilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) in a healthy young patient after lumbar spine surgery which was initially diagnosed as functional visual loss. METHODS Observational case report. METHODS A 33-year-old woman who experienced visual loss in the immediate postoperative period after a lumbar spine fusion. METHODS Serial visual field testing and fundus examinations, ERG. RESULTS Bilateral PION was confirmed 2 months postoperatively with the development of bilateral optic disc pallor and a normal ERG. CONCLUSIONS Young patients without vascular risk factors may develop bilateral PION after otherwise uncomplicated lumbar spine surgery. In subjects complaining of visual loss in the postoperative period who have a normal fundus and normal neuroimaging, a diagnosis of PION should be suspected, and close follow-up is warranted.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008159	Lumbar Vertebrae	VERTEBRAE in the region of the lower BACK below the THORACIC VERTEBRAE and above the SACRAL VERTEBRAE.	Vertebrae, Lumbar
D009898	Optic Disk	The portion of the optic nerve seen in the fundus with the ophthalmoscope. It is formed by the meeting of all the retinal ganglion cell axons as they enter the optic nerve.	Blind Spot,Optic Disc,Optic Nerve Head,Optic Papilla,Blind Spots,Disc, Optic,Disk, Optic,Head, Optic Nerve,Nerve Head, Optic,Optic Discs,Optic Disks,Optic Nerve Heads,Optic Papillas,Papilla, Optic,Papillas, Optic,Spot, Blind
D011542	Pseudarthrosis	A pathologic entity characterized by deossification of a weight-bearing long bone, followed by bending and pathologic fracture, with inability to form normal BONY CALLUS leading to existence of the "false joint" that gives the condition its name. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Pseudoarthrosis,Pseudarthroses,Pseudoarthroses
D004596	Electroretinography	Recording of electric potentials in the retina after stimulation by light.	Electroretinographies
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D013123	Spinal Fusion	Operative immobilization or ankylosis of two or more vertebrae by fusion of the vertebral bodies with a short bone graft or often with diskectomy or laminectomy. (From Blauvelt & Nelson, A Manual of Orthopaedic Terminology, 5th ed, p236; Dorland, 28th ed)	Spondylodesis,Spondylosyndesis,Fusion, Spinal,Fusions, Spinal,Spinal Fusions,Spondylodeses,Spondylosyndeses
D013168	Spondylolisthesis	Forward displacement of a superior vertebral body over the vertebral body below.	Olisthesis,Spondylisthesis,Olistheses,Spondylistheses,Spondylolistheses
D014792	Visual Acuity	Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.	Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities