Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia causing homonymous hemianopia: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with an incidental finding of right homonymous hemianopia and presyncopal spells. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) with compression of the left optic tract. VBD is defined as an elongation and dilatation of the basilar artery. Only a few cases have been described in the literature of VBD causing optic tract compression. So far no treatment option has been described for these cases, while surgical options exist for compressions of other cranial nerves, most commonly the trigeminal nerve. VBD can further cause stroke or cerebral and subarachnoid bleeding.

Keywords: Hemianopsia; Optic tract compression; Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia.