A case of paroxysmal homonymous hemianopsia: Uncommon presentation of nonconvulsive status epilepticus

Radiol Case Rep. 2020 Apr 5;15(6):668-671. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2020.03.005. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Paroxysmal homonymous hemianopsia (HH) is uncommon presentation of epilepsy. We demonstrate a rare case of paroxysmal HH that was diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) arterial spin-labeling (ASL). A 82-year-old woman presented with abrupt onset of isolated visual field abnormality without convulsive epilepsy at 16 days after a traumatic head injury. Diffusion weighted and MR-ASL obtained on admission revealed hyperintensity and hyperperfusion in the right temporo-occipital cortex. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus was suspected. The patient was treated with oral levetiracetam and the symptoms resolved in 3 days. Paroxysmal HH should be considered in patients who present with simple partial epilepsy, and MR-ASL imaging may assist in the differential diagnosis of these patients.

Keywords: ADC, apparent diffusion coefficient; ASL; ASL, arterial spin labeling; CBF, cerebral blood flow; CT, computed tomography; DWI, diffusion weighted imaging; EEG; EEG, electroencephalogram; FLAIR, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; HH, homonymous hemianopsia; Homonymous hemianopsia; IMZ, 123I-iomazenil; MR, magnetic resonance; Nonconvulsive status epilepticus; SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography; Simple partial epilepsy; TBI, traumatic brain injury; aSDH, acute subdural hematoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports