Terson's syndrome, the current concepts and management strategies: A review of literature

Authors

Rabii Aboulhosn, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, UK.
Bharath Raju, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Fareed Jumah, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Neil Majmundar, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Jonathan Prenner, Department of Ophthalmology, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Tariq Matin, Department of Interventional Radiology, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital, Nathupur, Gurugram, Haryana 122002, India.
Sudipta Roychowdhury, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Amit Singla, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Priyank Khandelwal, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.
Anil Nanda, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Gaurav Gupta, Department of Neurosurgery, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & University, Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. Electronic address: guptaga@rutgers.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Terson's Syndrome describes intraocular hemorrhage secondary to an acutely raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Although Terson's Syndrome is common amongst patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), it is underdiagnosed and often overlooked. This review discusses the current understanding of the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, and management of Terson's Syndrome and highlights the visual and prognostic implications to stress the importance of timely diagnosis and management. The origin of intraocular hemorrhage in Terson's Syndrome has been debated. A recognized theory suggests that an acutely raised ICP induces effusion of cerebrospinal fluid into the optic nerve sheath which dilates the retrobulbar aspect of the sheath in the orbit. Dilatation mechanically compresses the central retinal vein and retinochoroidal veins resulting in venous hypertension and rupture of thin retinal vessels. A commonly reported clinical feature is decreased visual acuity and blurred vision. These may be accompanied by symptoms of increased ICP including loss of consciousness and headache. Diagnosis is established using evidence from the clinical presentation, ophthalmoscopy, and, when required, imaging including B-mode ultrasound, CT, MRI, and fluorescein angiography. Terson's Syndrome is managed conservatively by observation for mild cases and with vitrectomy for bilateral cases and for patients whose hemorrhage has not spontaneously resolved after an observational period. Terson's Syndrome can be used as a prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality in underlying pathology like SAH. Fundoscopy of patients with SAH, acutely raised ICP or visual disturbance with unknown etiology can help establish a timely Terson's Syndrome diagnosis. This may avoid the risk of permanent visual impairment.

Medical Subject Headings

Conservative Treatment (methods); Disease Management; Humans; Intracranial Pressure (physiology); Neurosurgical Procedures (methods); Ophthalmoscopy; Vision Disorders (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, therapy); Visual Acuity (physiology); Vitreous Hemorrhage (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, therapy)

Publication Date

11-1-2021

Publication Title

Clinical neurology and neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1872-6968

Volume

210

First Page

107008

PubMed ID

34775364

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.107008

Recommended Citation

Aboulhosn, Rabii; Raju, Bharath; Jumah, Fareed; Majmundar, Neil; Prenner, Jonathan; Matin, Tariq; Roychowdhury, Sudipta; Singla, Amit; Khandelwal, Priyank; Nanda, Anil; and Gupta, Gaurav, "Terson's syndrome, the current concepts and management strategies: A review of literature" (2021). Neurosurgery. 2229.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2229