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Reversible dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells in non-secreting pituitary tumors

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Abstract

A large cohort of patients participated in a longitudinal study of early glaucoma progression. During follow up, six eyes of three patients displayed a relatively rapid deterioration of pattern electroretinogram (PERG) signal compared to changes in visual acuity, IOP, Standard Automated Perimetry, and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer thickness measured by OCT. This deterioration prompted further testing including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which revealed pituitary tumors in all three patients, two of which were abutting but not compressing the chiasm. Following tumor resection, the PERG signal gradually recovered to baseline values in all six eyes. Results indicate that pituitary tumors may cause retrograde dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) even in the absence of visible mechanical compression of the visual pathway, and such dysfunction may be reversed by tumor reduction. The results suggest that PERG is a useful tool in the early diagnosis and management of patients with chiasmal mass lesions.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. Byron Lam for his critical review of our manuscript.

Conflict of interest: VP, Lace Elettronica, Italy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 900 N.W. 17th Street, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Lori M. Ventura, Frank X. Venzara III & Vittorio Porciatti

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  1. Lori M. Ventura
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  2. Frank X. Venzara III
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  3. Vittorio Porciatti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vittorio Porciatti.

Additional information

Supported by NIH-NEI RO1 EY014957, NIH center grant P30-EY014801, and by an unrestricted grant to the University of Miami from Research to Prevent Blindness.

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Ventura, L.M., Venzara, F.X. & Porciatti, V. Reversible dysfunction of retinal ganglion cells in non-secreting pituitary tumors. Doc Ophthalmol 118, 155–162 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-008-9143-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-008-9143-8

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