Transient visual loss: Transient lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum

Mucahit Gunaydin; Faruk Ozsahin

doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2017.12.004

Mucahit Gunaydin¹, Faruk Ozsahin²

¹Giresun University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Giresun, Turkey
²Giresun Prof. Dr. Ilhan Ozdemir Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Giresun, Turkey

Keywords: Visual loss, Corpus callosum, Transient splenium lesion

Abstract

Background: The corpus callosum is the most important pathway enabling the exchange of information between the two cerebral hemispheres. Transient splenium lesions may develop in association with various pathologies and infections. We report a case presenting to the emergency department with transient visual loss and in which a transient lesion was determined in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC).

Case report: A 24-year-old woman presented to the emergency department due to sudden onset visual loss. An area of restricted diffusion was determined in the SCC at diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. The patient was admitted to the ward with a diagnosis of SCC lesion. The lesion had resolved entirely at control MRI performed 2 weeks later.

Conclusion: There may be many causes of transient SCC lesions, and patients may present with different clinical manifestations, particularly altered consciousness and rarely visual loss like our present case.