Ipsilateral Ophthalmic Artery Research Articles

A Case of Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Combined With an Atypical Origin of the Ipsilateral Ophthalmic Artery

Objective: Anatomy of the ophthalmic artery (OA) is of great practical importance in surgery for anterior circulation aneurysms. In most cases, the OA arises from the supraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and enters the orbit through the optic canal inferolaterally to the optic nerve. The OA arising from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and entering the optic canal above the optic nerve is extremely rare.Clinical case: We report a case of a 29-year-old female patient admitted to Scientific Research Institute – Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Krasnodar, Russian Federation) with a ruptured true aneurysm of the left posterior communicating artery (PCoA) and an abnormal origin of the OA from the ACA. The disease manifested itself as ischemic stroke in the basal ganglia on the left causing diagnostic difficulties during initial hospitalization. Cerebral angiography confirmed a PCoA aneurysm and origin of the OA from the ipsilateral ACA. During surgery the neck of the aneurysm was clipped, and the aneurysm dome was opened to control the extent of clipping and remove thrombotic masses. During their removal, hemorrhage appeared from the posterior pole of the aneurysm. During the exploration it was found that the aneurysm was a dilated PCoA connecting the right ICA with the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA). A thrombosed anterior thalamoperforating artery emerged from the superior surface of the dome, and its junction with the precommunicating segment of the right PCA was detected in the region of the posterior pole of the aneurysm. The second clip was placed at the communication site between the aneurysm and the right PCA. The patient was discharged in satisfactory condition with a stable neurological status.Conclusions: The combination of abnormal anatomy of arteries at the base of the brain and cerebral aneurysms increases the risk of tactical errors and perioperative complications. Each such case requires a careful comparison of the clinical, imaging, and intraoperative findings. In the presented case of the patient with the ruptured rare PCoA aneurysm, the disease manifested atypically due to the partial thrombosis of the aneurysm and hemorrhage into the aneurysmal wall. The imaging findings revealed lacunar stroke in the thalamoperforating artery basin and an ICA aneurysm with no signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage. During the surgery the aneurysm was initially regarded as typical saccular. The opening of the dome and removal of all thrombotic masses made it possible to determine the eccentric fusiform nature of the aneurysm, perform its radical exclusion, and prevent fatal hemorrhage in the postoperative period.

Algorithm for evaluating ophthalmic artery pseudo-occlusion during intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy infusion for retinoblastoma is typically performed via selective catheterization of the ophthalmic artery. Anastomoses between the external carotid and the ophthalmic arteries have also been utilized when the ophthalmic artery cannot be catheterized directly. However, these are not present in every patient. A 10-month-old boy presented with bilateral retinoblastoma and underwent one round of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) via direct catheterization of the ophthalmic arteries. Combined with adjuvant laser therapy, they experienced symptomatic improvement and tumour regression. However, during subsequent treatment sessions both ophthalmic arteries did not have anterograde flow and attempts to catheterize their origin were unsuccessful. Unfortunately, no targetable anastomoses between the external carotid and ophthalmic arteries were identified for drug delivery. Due to the patient's anatomy, balloon occlusion of the ECA was felt to be unsafe. As a salvage technique, a balloon was inflated in the left internal carotid artery (ICA) distal to the ophthalmic take-off to redirect flow into the ophthalmic. Repeat angiography with the distal ICA occluded showed improved flow into the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery. IAC was then successfully delivered through the left ICA. This case illustrates the importance of utilizing creative endovascular techniques for targeted intra-arterial drug delivery when other conventional measures fail as these patients often have limited, and potentially higher risk, therapeutic alternatives.

Abstract Number ‐ 82: Central Retinal Artery Metallic Embolus After Ophthalmic Segment Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm Flow‐diverter Embolization

Introduction Flow‐diverting stents are effective devices in treating what would have previously been difficult to treat aneurysms such as wide‐necked, fusiform, blood blister, or giant aneurysms. Although generally safe, complications have been reported such as ischemia, in‐stent stenosis, and side branch occlusion, as well as device related complications such as stent migration and incomplete expansion. We present a case report of a patient who was incidentally found to have a reflective metallic embolus within the central retinal artery after two flow‐diverter stent embolization of the ipsilateral ophthalmic segment aneurysm. Methods Case report. Results A 44 year‐old female presented with incidental discovery of a 4mm paraopthalmic aneurysm. She underwent two flow‐diverter (Pipeline ©) embolizations with decreased although persistent filling of the aneurysm sac. After the second embolization procedure, the patient was referred to Opthalmology after incidental note of a small submillimeter reflective metallic embolus adjacent to the fovea seen on a screening Optometry exam upon workup for reader glasses. The patient was asymptomatic without visual complaints, blurriness, floaters, or change in vision. Conclusions We present a case of a tiny submillimeter reflective metallic embolus after flow‐diverter stent placement within the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery. This is the first report we are aware of describing such a complication after the use of flow‐diverter stent deployment. It is possible that the increased friction from two apposing stents could cause microfractures and subclinical emboli.

Long-term changes in cerebral and ocular hemodynamics after carotid endarterectomy in symptomatic patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis.

The aim of the current study was to describe the alternation pattern of cerebral and ocular blood flow velocities (BFVs) in symptomatic patients with unilateral carotid stenosis after carotid endarterectomy. 20 symptomatic patients underwent carotid endarterectomy for ≥ 50% unilateral carotid stenosis. Cerebral and ocular hemodynamics were evaluated by Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Color Doppler imaging (CDI), respectively, first preoperatively, then during the following several days after carotid endarterectomy before discharge, and finally two to sixteen months later. Statistically significant improvements in the BFVs were recorded in the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCV) and short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) during the following several days after carotid endarterectomy. Preoperative retrograde flows of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery (OA) in two patients returned to anterograde direction immediately following carotid endarterectomy. At the follow-up of two to sixteen months, the BFVs of the ipsilateral ACA, MCA and SPCA tended to decline and were no longer statistically significant from the preoperative values. Carotid endarterectomy significantly increased the flow velocities of ipsilateral cerebral anterior circulation and OA branching artery in patients with unilateral carotid stenosis early after surgery. At the long-term follow-up, the flow velocities in the ipsilateral hemisphere had the tendency to reduce and approach the preoperative level.

P.135 Willisian collateral and cervical carotid stenosis during large vessel occlusion stroke: Observations from computed tomography angiography

Background: The circle of Willis (CoW) and cervical carotid arteries are important sources of collateral flow during acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation. We examined the anatomical components of the circle and the cervical carotid arteries to determine relationship to acute stroke severity. Methods: Consecutive patients with acute LVO who underwent EVT were assessed. Measurements were made of the luminal diameters of 16 anatomical vascular components. Admission NIHSS, ASPECTS and mCTA collateral scores were statistically analyzed for any relationship to vascular measurements. Results: 100 patients were studied. No relationship was found between the collateral Willisian pathways and measures of stroke severity. However, the ophthalmic arteries exhibited a relationship to stroke severity. In adjusted analysis, 1-mm increases in the ipsilateral and contralateral ophthalmic artery diameter were independently associated with a 4.80-point decrease and a 6.31-point increase in the NIHSS scale, respectively. Similarly, a 1.53-point increase and a 2.62-point decrease in the ASPECTS. In the neck a majority showed 0-55% stenosis, with no stenosis between 55% and 95%, and 14% at 95% to 100%. Conclusions: Stroke severity and collateral during LVO is unrelated to Willisian collateral. Ophthalmic artery calibers are related. Acute progression of 55-95% stenoses to complete occlusion occurs in LVO stroke

Ipsilateral Ophthalmic Artery Stenosis in Amaurosis Fugax: A Case Report

Introduction: Amaurosis fugax is caused by an abrupt reduction of blood flow to the retina. Determining the etiology of amaurosis fugax should ensure proper management. 
 Case Report: A 47-year-old female patient who had the first episode of amaurosis fugax in her right eye was referred to our hospital. The amaurosis fugax resolved spontaneously, however, we found a 3 mm long stenosis at her right ophthalmic artery during magnetic resonance angiography. She had clinical histories of untreated hypertension and dyslipidemia. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was suspected and unfractionated heparin, aspirin, antihypertensive agent, and statin were given. Treatments were maintained, the symptoms had not recurred in the following 6 months after the event.
 Discussion: Stenosis of the ophthalmic artery is very rare. It occurs in approximately 2% of patient suffering from amaurosis fugax. In our case, stenosis of the right ophthalmic artery due to thromboembolism might cause retinal ischemia leading to a transient visual loss.
 Conclusion: This case suggests stenosis of ophthalmic artery as the cause of amaurosis fugax.
 Keywords: amaurosis fugax, ipsilateral, ophthalmic artery, stenosis

Ophthalmic Artery Flow Pattern-related Stump Pressure and Ischemic Tolerance during Balloon Test Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Artery.

Very few studies have described the blood flow pattern in the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery (OphA) during internal carotid artery (ICA) balloon test occlusion performed to estimate the risk of cerebral ischemia associated with therapeutic ICA sacrifice. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ipsilateral OphA flow patterns just after ICA temporary occlusion and balloon test occlusion findings. We retrospectively reviewed 32 balloon test occlusion procedures performed at our institution between 2010 and 2019, and analyzed the OphA flow patterns and the conventional balloon test occlusion assessment items: neurological symptoms, stump pressure, stump-pressure ratio, collateral circulations, and venous phase delay. The flow patterns were categorized as type I (retrograde flow reaching the middle cerebral artery [MCA]), type II (retrograde flow to the ICA not reaching the MCA), or type III (no retrograde flow). Tolerance to balloon test occlusion was observed in 4/21 patients (19.0%), 4/6 patients (66.7%), and all five patients with types I, II, and III flows, respectively. The mean pressure ratios during balloon test occlusion in flow types I, II, and III were 35.6% ± 3.5%, 56.4% ± 6.5%, and 69.4% ± 7.1%, respectively (P <0.001). The mean stump pressures in flow types I, II, and III were 36.2 ± 3.6 mmHg, 46.6 ± 6.7 mmHg, and 66.6 ± 7.3 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.003). The mean venous phase delay in flow types I, II, and III were 0.99 ± 0.14 s, 0.25 ± 0.25 s, and 0.0 ± 0.28 s, respectively (P = 0.004). All the above variables showed significant flow-related differences. These results suggest that the OphA flow patterns may provide an additional diagnostic criterion for balloon test occlusion.

Remodeling of occluded internal carotid artery in vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging

Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the remodeling pattern of the extracranial occluded internal carotid artery (OICA) by vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VWI). Methods Thirty-nine atherosclerotic OICAs from 32 consecutive cases underwent 3-Tesla VWI to acquire pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted two-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery fast spin echo sequences. 25 symptomatic CAs exhibited ipsilateral downstream cerebral ischemia or ophthalmic artery embolism within last three months. The 14 remaining CAs were asymptomatic. Twenty-four CAs from 22 patients with atherosclerosis but no stenosis were recruited as control group. The outer wall area (OWA) was calculated based on the outer contour of the carotid artery drawn on the pre-contrast VWI. Negative remodeling was defined as a lower OWA compared to that of control group. Results Clinical characteristics including age, sex and vascular risk factors showed no significant difference between the occluded and control group. However, the OWA was lower in the occluded group than in the control group (0.63 versus 0.90 cm2, p = 0.004). For all OICAs, the OWA was larger in symptomatic cases than asymptomatic cases (0.71 versus 0.49cm2, p = 0.025). Using a cutoff value of 0.44, the sensitivity and specificity of OWA for detecting symptomatic OICA were 0.88 and 0.57, respectively. Heterogeneous signal intensity and enhancement were more often observed at the proximal than the distal segment of occlusion (p < 0.001). The inter-observer agreement regarding the evaluation of VWI characteristics was desirable (κ = 0.805 ∼ 0.847). Conclusions Negative remodeling is prevalent in OICA, especially in asymptomatic cases.

Progression of carotid near-occlusion to complete occlusion: related factors and clinical implications

BackgroundThe clinical consequences and factors related to the progression from a carotid near-occlusion (CNO) to a complete occlusion are not well established. Our aim is to describe the rate, predictive...

Superior ophthalmic vein and ophthalmic artery in immediate evaluation after endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas.

PurposeTo validate superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and ophthalmic artery (OA) usefulness in immediate evaluation of new endovascular approaches to treat carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs).Material and methodsA retrospective review of 597 intracerebral malformation embolisations yielded 40 embolisations of CCF in the treatment of 18 patients. Two interventional radiologists performed detailed radiological angiographic assessments.ResultsMean age at initial admission was 58.9 years (SD 18.5 years, range 24-85 years). Patients presented with: chemosis (50%), ocular bruit (50%), exophthalmos (61%), diminished visual acuity (77.8%), headache (16.7%), and intracerebral haemorrhage (5.55%), and 5.55% were asymptomatic. Unilateral fistulas (10-55.5%) showed more diversified venous drainage pattern than bilateral ones (8-44.4%). There were statistically significant differences in post-traumatic and spontaneous CCF regarding age (p = 0.036), type of fistula (p = 0.0008), and presence of pseudoaneurysm (p = 0.036). 77.8% of patients had increased ipsilateral SOV diameter. SOV enlargement was not associated with type of fistula, history of trauma, or degree of exophthalmos. Ipsilateral ophthalmic artery was visible in all patients on both pre- and postprocedural angiography on lateral projection. Pre- and post-procedural SOV diameter was significantly different. Internal carotid artery patency was 100%, while the overall final angiographic or clinical success was 85.7%. We had three cases of peri-procedural complications.ConclusionsWe reported changeable dynamics of SOV and OA after endovascular treatment of CCFs and proved the feasibility of coils and Onyx-18 in the treatment thereof.

Observation of blood flow characteristics of collateral circulation of ipsilateral ophthalmic artery in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion

Objective To observe the characteristics of collateral circulation blood flow of ipsilateral ophthalmic artery in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion. Methods The imaging data of 20 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 males and 9 females, aged from 30 to 65 years, with an average age of (45±3) years. All the patients underwent digital subtraction angiography and transcranial Doppler examination, and 6 patients underwent simultaneous magnetic resonance angiography. The blood supply and collateral circulation of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery were observed . Results All the patients had unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. The blood supply of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery and ophthalmic artery comes from the collateral circulation between the middle meningeal artery branches of the external carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery in 18 patients (90.0%); it also comes from the anterior communicating artery of the contralateral internal carotid artery in 16 patients (80.0%); and the posterior communicating artery of the contralateral internal carotid artery in 12 patients (60.0%), respectively. Conclusion The blood flow of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery mainly comes from the middle meningeal artery branch of the ipsilateral external carotid artery, also comes from the anterior and posterior communicating arteries of the contralateral internal carotid artery. Key words: Arterial occlusive diseases; Ophthalmic artery; Collateral circulation; Angiography, digital subtraction; Ultrasonography, Doppler, transcranial

Collateral Assessment by CT Angiography as a Predictor of Outcome in Symptomatic Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion.

Cervical internal carotid artery occlusion can present with varied clinical manifestations such as transient ischemic attack, stroke, and chronic ocular ischemia, or can be asymptomatic. The outcome in these patients is considerably influenced by cerebral hemodynamic compensatory adaptation of the intracranial collateral pathways. Our aim was to study whether collateral circulation as assessed by CT angiography can predict 3-month outcome and initial stroke severity in patients with symptomatic cervical ICA occlusion. This was a retrospective study of 65 patients with symptomatic cervical ICA occlusion from January 2011 to December 2013. The collateral vessels (anterior and posterior communicating arteries, ophthalmic artery, and leptomeningeal arteries) were assessed by CTA. The outcome at 3 months was defined as poor if the modified Rankin Scale score was ≥3. The mean age of subjects was 57 ± 11.6 years (range, 32-80 years), and 92% were men. Thirty-three (50.8%) patients had poor outcome. Absence of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery, poor leptomeningeal collaterals, and <2 collaterals were predictors of stroke severity at onset and poor 3-month outcome in univariate analysis. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, inadequate flow through the secondary collaterals (ipsilateral ophthalmic artery or leptomeningeal collaterals; OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.4-14.9; P = .01) and higher NIHSS score at stroke onset (OR, 19.2; 95% CI, 2.2-166.2; P = .007) independently predicted poor outcome at 3 months. Assessment of collateral circulation with CTA can be a useful predictor of 3-month outcome in patients with symptomatic cervical ICA occlusion.

Improvement in Cerebral and Ocular Hemodynamics Early after Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients of Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis with or without Contralateral Carotid Occlusion.

Purpose. To investigate the alternation in cerebral and ocular blood flow velocity (BFV) in patients of carotid stenosis (CS) with or without contralateral carotid occlusion (CO) early after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Patients and Methods. Nineteen patients underwent CEA for ≥50% CS. Fourteen patients had the unilateral CS, and five patients had the ipsilateral CS and the contralateral CO. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) were performed before and early after CEA. Results. In patients with unilateral CS, significant improvements in BFV were observed in anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) on the ipsilateral side after CEA. In patients of ipsilateral CS and contralateral CO, significant improvements in BFV were observed in the ACA and MCA not only on the ipsilateral side but also on the contralateral side postoperatively. The ipsilateral ophthalmic artery (OA) retrograde flows in two patients were recovered to anterograde direction following CEA. The BFV in short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) of the ipsilateral side significantly increased postoperatively irrespective of the presence of contralateral CO. Conclusions. CEA improved cerebral anterior circulation hemodynamics especially in patients of unilateral CS and contralateral CO, normalized the OA reverse flow, and increased the blood perfusion of SPCA.

Angiography and Multifocal Electroretinography Show That Blood Supply to the Pig Retina May Be Both Ipsilateral and Contralateral

We recently presented a transfemoral endovascular coiling technique for inducing experimental retinal ischemia in pigs. Substantial variation was seen in the degree of ischemia. It was hypothesized that the blood supply to the retina may originate from both the ipsilateral and contralateral ophthalmic arteries and that there may be an interconnecting artery between the eyes.The external carotid system of 6 pigs was catheterized using a fluoroscopy-monitored, transfemoral, endovascular approach. Vascular occlusion was achieved in the ophthalmic artery using coils. The effect of occlusion was examined using angiography and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG).During angiography of the ophthalmic artery on one side, contrast filling was seen in the retinas on both sides, suggesting that the ophthalmic artery on one side may supply both retinas. A blood vessel connecting the eyes was visualized. The mfERG recordings indicated that the use of coiling to occlude the ophthalmic artery had greater ischemic effects in eyes that may depend mainly on the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery for blood supply and had smaller ischemic effects in retinas that received blood from both the ipsilateral and contralateral ophthalmic arteries via the interconnecting vessel.The blood supply to the retina may originate from both the ipsilateral and contralateral ophthalmic arteries in the pig. There is an interindividual variability in the ischemic effect of occlusion depending on the architecture of the vasculature. These findings may be important in the development of new animal models of experimental retinal ischemia because arterial occlusion in one eye may affect the blood supply to the contralateral eye.

Clinical Assessment of Noninvasive Intracranial Pressure Absolute Value Measurement Method

Editors’ Note: Writ e Click correspondence this week centers on the article by Dr. Ragauskas et al., “Clinical assessment of noninvasive intracranial pressure absolute value measurement method.” Dr. Liebeskind et al. bring up variability in the microanatomy of the ophthalmic artery that argues against the authors' methodology. Dr. Miller et al. disagree that extracranial ophthalmic arterial blood flow is independent of CSF, citing their own data on the subject. Authors Ragauskas et al. dispute both claims. Megan Alcauskas, MD, and Robert C. Griggs, MD Ragauskas et al.1 demonstrated that when external pressure is applied, the orbit tends to equilibrate flow in the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery (OA) when its level approaches intracranial pressure (ICP). The authors detected this relationship by making the OA into a “natural pair of scales, in which the intracranial segment of the OA is compressed by extracranial pressure (Pe) applied to the orbit.”

Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on the Cerebrovascular System

Several studies have shown that stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an effective treatment for certain cerebrovascular related diseases; however, the direct effect of SGB on the cerebral vasculature is still unknown. The present study investigated the effect of SGB on the cerebral vascular system using magnetic resonance angiography. Time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography images of 19 healthy female volunteers (mean ages of 46.4 ± 8.9 yr) were obtained before and after SGB with 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging. The authors determined successful interruption of sympathetic innervation to the head with the appearance of Horner syndrome and conjunctival injection. We measured changes in the average signal intensity and diameter of the major intracranial and extracranial arteries and their branches, which were presented with mean (±SE). The signal intensity changes were observed mainly in the ipsilateral extracranial vessels; the external carotid artery (11.2%, P < 0.001) and its downstream branches, such as the occipital artery (9.5%, P < 0.001) and superficial temporal artery (14.1%, P < 0.001). In contrast, the intensities of the intracranial arteries did not change with the exception of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery, which increased significantly (10.0%, P = 0.008). After SGB, only the diameter of the ipsilateral external carotid artery was significantly increased (26.5%, P < 0.001). We were able to observe significant changes in the extracranial vessels, whereas the intracranial vessels were relatively unaffected (except for the ophthalmic artery), demonstrating that both perivascular nerve control and sympathetic nerve control mechanisms may contribute to the control of intracranial and extracranial blood vessels, respectively, after SGB.

MRI Restricted Diffusion in Optic Nerve Infarction After Autologous Fat Transplantation

A 24-year-old woman reported blindness in the left eye upon awakening from fat autotransplantation to her forehead for soft tissue augmentation in the face. Clinical findings on the third postoperative day suggested ipsilateral ophthalmic artery occlusion with infarction of the optic nerve and retina. There were also clinical manifestations of a mild right hemiparesis. MRI diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) revealed restricted diffusion of the left optic nerve and left middle cerebral artery domain indicative of the cytotoxic edema of infarction. This is the second report of optic nerve infarction after fat autotransplantation to the forehead and the first report of DWI restricted diffusion in this setting.

Spontaneous recanalization of the internal carotid artery resulting in thromboembolic occlusion of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery and visual loss

We report a 54-year-old man who suffered a stroke from a complete right internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Two months later, he presented with right eye blindness. Imaging demonstrated 50% recanalization of his right ICA. He underwent a right carotid endarterectomy to prevent contralateral stroke from emboli through a patent anterior communicating artery. Recanalization of a completely occluded proximal ICA due to atherosclerotic disease has been reported but is rare, but such patients emphasize the importance of follow-up vascular studies.

A case of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome affecting both the cavernous sinuses and the hypophysis, and associated with C3 and C4 aneurysms

Background We describe the first case of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome that is associated with C3 and C4 aneurysms. Case Description The patient, a female aged 58 years, had diplopia and right retroorbital pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlargement of the hypophysis and bilateral cavernous sinuses, particularly on the right side. Cerebral angiography demonstrated ICA aneurysms of the left C3 and right C4 portions. These symptoms were immediately alleviated after initiation of prednisolone therapy, but recurred after the dose was tapered off. Radiological examination revealed an enlargement of the hypophysis whereas the right C4 aneurysm had decreased in size and no blood flow was apparent in the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery. A biopsy was performed and the results showed a focal inflammatory change. Steroid therapy was represcribed, and after a follow-up period of 10 months without therapy, the patient has been free of symptoms. Conclusion We conclude that bilateral ICA aneurysms might be directly induced by inflammatory infiltration into intracavernous ICAs.

眼虚血症候群―神経超音波検査の役割―

Ocular ischemic syndrome can be of either the acute type (amaurosis fugax, retinal artery occlusion and ischemic optic neuropathy) or the chronic type (venous stasis retinopathy and ischemic oculopathy). We carried out etiological studies on 35patients (19men, 16women, aged 62±16years) with retinal artery occlusion and 21patients (13men, 8women, aged 47±19 years) with amaurosis fugax. In all patients, carotid ultrasonography was performed to clarify the extent of carotid artery disease ipsilateral to the retinal artery occlusion and amaurosis fugax. All the patients underwent electrocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Arterial stenosis exceeding 50% of the diameter of the internal carotid artery ipsilateral to the symptomatic eye was more frequent in patients with retinal artery occlusion than in those with amaurosis fugax. Patent foramen ovale more frequent in the latter than in the former. Patients with venous stasis retinopathy and ischemic oculopathy (neovascular glaucoma) had occlusion of the ipsilateral carotid artery with reversed ophthalmic artery or severe stenosis of the ipilateral carotid artery with stenosis of the ipsilateral ophthalmic artery. Neurosonologic studies can provide valuable clinical data on ocular ischemic syndrome.