Acute ischemic stroke with cortical blindness caused by inherited protein C deficiency

Abstract

Bilateral occipital lesions caused by bilateral posterior cerebral artery (PCA) blockage are rare and can present as cortical blindness, which is defined as loss of vision without any ophthalmological cause and retention of normal pupillary light reflexes. Inherited protein C (PC) deficiency may cause thromboembolism, which leads to stroke. We presented a 68-year-old man with bilateral hemianopia, and brain imaging revealed bilateral PCA territory infarcts. PC deficiency was identified, and the symptoms gradually resolved after aspirin and warfarin were administered. The patient's family members underwent laboratory examinations, and his daughter was found to have PC deficiency.

Keywords

• cortical blindness
• bilateral posterior cerebral artery infraction
• protein c deficiency
• ischemic stroke