[Pulsating macroaneurysm of a retinal arterial branch].

Pulsating macroaneurysms of retinal vessels have so far been described only as isolated cases. The case reported here was a 72-year-old female patient with systemic hypertension and suspected Raynaud's disease. The pulsating macroaneurysm was only observed for a few days; subsequently it fibrosed and an arterial branch occlusion was demonstrated. Retinal macroaneurysms have been mentioned in combination with aneurysmal cerebral vessels in hypertonic patients, suggesting generalized vessel wall disease. This patient's central visual acuity was hardly affected, even after a number of months, and photocoagulation treatment was thus unnecessary. Such treatment for retinal macroaneurysms should be considered in each case individually, depending on the extent of bleeding and edema.