Charles Bonnet Syndrome as Sequelae of Occipital Lobe Infarct With Hemorrhagic Conversion: A Case Report

Cureus. 2023 Dec 13;15(12):e50472. doi: 10.7759/cureus.50472. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Charles Bonnet syndrome occurs in the setting of visual impairment with subsequent complex and repetitive visual hallucinations confined in the area of visual loss, with intact cognition and insight. It has been described as a sequelae of ischemic stroke affecting the visual pathway. We report a case of a male presenting with right homonymous hemianopsia secondary to acute left occipital lobe infarct of cardioembolic etiology. He then developed visual hallucinations on the side of the visual loss. MRI showed hemorrhagic conversion of the occipital lobe infarct. Electroencephalogram showed focal and intermittent slowing of the anterior temporal and frontal region. Charles Bonnet syndrome may signify the worsening or progression of a structural lesion affecting the visual pathway, such as hemorrhagic conversion, and warrants prompt and thorough evaluation. Understanding these conditions is crucial for healthcare professionals and caregivers to provide effective support and interventions for those affected.

Keywords: charles bonnet syndrome; hemorrhagic infarct; neuroophthalmology; neuropsychiatry; visual hallucination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports