Arteriovenous malformation of the occipital lobes in a Nigerian.

AIM

To present the clinical features of arteriovenous malformations of the occipital lobe in order to assist in making a diagnosis prior to intracerebral haemorrhage.

METHODS

A Sixty one year old Nigerian male patient complained of constant frontal headache for five years with associated gradual visual loss. Six months before presentation he suffered two episodes of severe headache associated with dizziness and profound visual loss. On examination his visual acuity was Hand Movement in each eye, the pupils were active and both optic discs were normal. Neurological examination was normal. A Computed Tomography was normal. He suddenly fell down and died within one week of presentation. Autopsy report revealed arteriovenous malformations of both occipital lobes and left parietal lobe.

CONCLUSION

Visual loss may be the only clinical sign in occipital lobe lesions. A visual field test is helpful in the diagnosis. Computed tomography has limitations in the diagnosis of intracranial lesions especially suspected vascular lesions. Early presentation, visual field analysis and angiographic studies are essential.