Multiple small branch retinal arteriolar occlusions following coil embolization of an internal carotid artery aneurysm

Abstract

A 41-year-old male was referred from the neurosurgery department with visual disturbance immediately following coil embolization of a distal internal carotid artery aneurysm. On initial fundus examination, diffuse retinal opacification sparing the papillomacular bundle area was observed in his right eye. Optical coherence tomography showed inner retinal edema, and fluorescein angiography showed delayed arterial filling and multiple small arteriolar obstructions in that eye. After 2 weeks, although the inner retinal edema and retinal opacification improved, small arteriolar occlusions were still present. The small arteriolar occlusion-related perfusion defect persisted until the 6-month follow-up. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the possibility of iatrogenic retinal artery occlusion when they perform coil embolization. Moreover, long-term follow-up may be necessary to detect any ischemic complications, as these postprocedural retinal artery occlusions tend to be poorly reperfused.

Keywords

• Aneurysm
• branch retinal artery occlusion
• embolization
• internal carotid artery