Maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm causing retinal artery occlusion.

PURPOSE: To report a novel case of central retinal artery occlusion in a 44-year-old male caused by emboli from a non-traumatic maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm.

OBSERVATIONS: A 44-year-old male with history of hypertension presented to clinic with painless vision loss in his left eye. He was found to have a central retinal artery occlusion. Ocular massage and intraocular pressure lowering agents were administered and the patient was transferred to the emergency department for cerebrovascular work-up. Remarkably, the patient had rapid symptom improvement from no light perception to 20/70 after ocular massage and IOP agents. Neuroimaging studies discovered a maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm with anastomotic branches to the internal carotid artery via the foramen rotundum and Vidian artery. Endovascular embolization was performed to prevent further thromboembolic event.

CONCLUSION AND

IMPORTANCE

We believe this to be the first reported case of retinal artery occlusion caused by a maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm. This case demonstrates that visual deficits can be the presenting symptom of a non-traumatic maxillary artery pseudoaneurysm.