Blindness and ophthalmoplegia from metastatic breast carcinoma

Abstract

We report a very rare complication from metastatic breast cancer of right-sided blindness and ophthalmoplegia in a 70-year-old female. Cavernous sinus syndrome, superior orbital fissure syndrome and complicated sinusitis were considered in the differential diagnosis but involvement of cranial nerves II, III, IV, VI and the ophthalmic division of V were consistent with an orbital apex syndrome. She had been diagnosed with breast carcinoma 10 years previously. This report highlights the correct clinical and diagnostic pathway with computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain and paranasal sinuses to evaluate for the presence and extent of pathology and biopsy route for any causative mass. In this patient, the mass in the right parasellar region and orbital apex with extension into the sphenoid sinus was amenable to transsphenoidal biopsy which showed features suggestive of metastatic breast carcinoma. She was treated with palliative whole brain radiotherapy without resolution of symptoms.