Sudden blindness in a child: presenting symptom of a sphenoid sinus mucocele. Issue 8 (August 1992)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casteels, I; De Loof, E; Brock, P; Jorissen, M; Dralands, L; Missotten, L; Wilms, G
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 76:Issue 8(1992)
• Page Start: 502
• Page End: 504
• Publication Date: 1992-08
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.76.8.502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : A 10-year-old girl with no nasal or respiratory symptoms developed a headache lasting a few hours. The next day she became totally blind in the right eye and over 5 days vision in the left eye deteriorated to bare light perception. The diagnosis of a sphenoid sinus mucocele was made radiologically and drainage via an endonasal sphenoidectomy produced 12 ml of brownish fluid. Endoscopic biopsy of the wall confirmed the diagnosis of a mucocele. Steroid treatment was given postoperatively, but vision recovered to 6/12 in the left eye only. The importance of urgent clinical diagnosis and treatment is stressed.