Cavernous malformation of the optic chiasm with continuous hemorrhage in a pregnant woman: A case report

Background Cavernous malformation of the anterior visual pathway is rare, especially in pregnant woman. Planning a treatment strategy with cross-disciplinary specialists is important.
Case description A 27-year-old pregnant woman presented with acute hemorrhage around the right optic nerve and chiasm, manifesting as poor vision in both eyes. Examination revealed right-eye deteriorated acuity and bilateral temporal hemianopsia. Computed tomography showed an oval high-density mass in the suprasellar region. Gradient echo-based T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed the lesion to be hypointense (possibly a hematoma) and mainly in the optic chiasm. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging showed a bilateral optic tract surrounding the lesion, which enlarged over 1 week, increasing the loss of visual function. Five days after admission, she delivered a healthy >2500-g baby by cesarean section (CS). Right frontotemporal craniotomy was performed 7 days after CS. Incision of the right optic nerve's lateral surface revealed clotted blood with abnormal vascular construction from the right side of the chiasm. We removed the hematoma and vascular lesion. Visual evoked potentials were detected only after optic chiasm decompression. Histological evaluation revealed a hematoma-like lesion with capsules and hemosiderin deposition, suggesting cavernous malformation. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful, with right visual acuity returning to normal, and her visual field not deteriorating any more.
Conclusion Devising a treatment strategy with the obstetrician was important in this case to manage the hematoma and cavernous malformation safely.