RADIATION-ASSOCIATED CEREBRAL BLINDNESS

PURPOSE: To report a case of blindness caused by a white-matter injury after whole brain irradiation for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. ME THODS: Case report, We performed comprehensive serial neuro-ophthalmol ogic examinations. RESULTS: Four to 5 months after resection of renal cell metastasis in the left occipital cortex, interleukin-2 therapy, a nd whole brain irradiation with 3,000 cGy plus a 1,500-cGy boost to th e posterior third of the brain, the patient developed a progressive de cline in visual acuity in both eyes to hand motions. Magnetic resonanc e imaging disclosed signal abnormalities without mass effect in the wh ite matter of the parietal and occipital lobes bilaterally, including the optic radiations. CONCLUSION: This case is a unique example of cor tical blindness secondary to radiation injury in the occipital lobes a nd optic radiations, (Am J Ophthalmol 1998;126:609-611, (C) 1998 by El sevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).