Bilateral optic neuropathy due to dolichoectasia of internal carotid Arteries

Abstract

Intracranial arterial dolichoectasia is a disorder of cerebral vasculature characterized by abnormal elongation, tortuosity, and dilatation of the cerebral arteries. The posterior circulation is more frequently affected than the anterior circulation. Dolichoectasia of internal carotid arteries (ICAs) presenting with binasal hemianopia is rare. We report a case report of a 48-year-old male who presented with a history of binasal hemianopia. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain with MR angiography showed bilateral dolichoectasia of ICAs compressing bilateral optic nerve and optic chiasm. Diagnosis of bilateral optic neuropathy due to dolichoectasia of ICAs was made after thorough investigation and ruling out of other possible etiologies of bilateral optic neuropathy. Dolichoectasia is a rare cause of bilateral optic neuropathy and should be suspected in patients who present with gradually progressive visual field loss with onset in the nasal field.