Hemorrhagic infarction of bilateral lateral geniculate bodies – unusual complication of pancreatitis

Abstract

We report a case of 10-year-male child diagnosed as acute pancreatitis with deranged liver and renal functions, who presented with sudden onset bilateral painless vision loss 2 days after initial diagnosis. Neuroophthalmological examination including deep tendon reflex, plantar reflex, visual acuity, pupillary reflexes, and fundus was performed. Magnetic resonance imaging brain demonstrated features of hemorrhagic infarction involving bilateral lateral geniculate bodies (LGBs) and posterior end of optic tracts. Two major causes of bilateral LGBs lesions include vascular ischemia and osmotic demyelination. Possible mechanism of involvement of bilateral LGBs in present case is coagulopathy in the settings of acute pancreatitis attributed to pro-thrombotic state leading to microvascular occlusions.