Occipital hypoperfusion in a patient with psychogenic visual disturbance

Psychiatry Res. 2002 Jul 1;114(3):163-8. doi: 10.1016/s0925-4927(02)00030-6.

Abstract

A patient with bilateral diminished visual acuity and blurred vision was given the diagnosis of psychogenic visual disturbance after extensive psychiatric and ophthalmological examinations. Single photon emission computed tomography with Tc-99m-ethylcysteinate dimer demonstrated remarkably reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the bilateral occipital lobes. More specifically, rCBF was reduced in the visual association areas, but not in the primary visual areas. These findings suggest that functional suppression of the visual association area is associated with the development of psychogenic visual disturbance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Occipital Lobe / anatomy & histology
  • Occipital Lobe / blood supply*
  • Occipital Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Vision Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Vision Disorders / psychology*