Tarik Syndrome: Reversible Postoperative Blindness Secondary to Occipital Seizures.

Abstract

Postoperative blindness is a devastating surgical complication. Although usually associated with prolonged cardiac and prone spinal operations, it may follow other procedures as well. Postoperative blindness is most commonly caused by a vascular etiology, but it can more rarely be caused by status epilepticus. We have previously reported a case of this phenomenon following a staged spinal deformity surgery. Here we report 2 additional cases following a skull base procedure and a single stage lumbar spine surgery. In all instances, rapid recognition that the patients' blindness was due to occipital seizures resulted in acute antiepileptiform treatment and full restoration of vision. Although a rare phenomenon, this syndrome, first recognized and described by Tarik F. Ibrahim, should be considered in any patient with postoperative visual impairment.