NONARTERITIC ANTERIOR ISCHEMIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH IPSILATERAL HYPOPLASTIC INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY.

BACKGROUND

Vascular insufficiency of the optic nerve head is the cause of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Carotid artery abnormalities are now considered as a predisposing factor for developing NAION. In this report, we present a case of NAION associated with ipsilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia.

METHODS

A 69-year-old female with decreased vision in her right eye due to NAION was evaluated. the magnetic resonance imaging showed a considerably smaller left internal carotid artery than the right side. The magnetic resonance angiography confirmed the disparity and perfusion abnormalities of intracranial carotid arteries.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of left internal carotid artery hypoplasia was made and verified by depicting a left side small carotid canal on the computed tomography scan.

CONCLUSION

This report suggests that internal carotid artery hypoplasia could be associated with NAION.