Bilateral retinal hemorrhage after endoscopic third ventriculostomy: iatrogenic Terson syndrome

A serious ophthalmological complication of an endoscopic third ventriculostomy that created an iatrogenic Terson syndrome is described. A patient with an obstructive hydrocephalus was treated endoscopically, but due to the inadvertent use of a pressure bag during rinsing, in combination with a blocked outflow channel, a steep rise in intracranial pressure occurred. Postoperatively the patient experienced disturbed vision caused by bilateral retinal hemorrhages, and an iatrogenic Terson syndrome was diagnosed. The pathogenesis of Terson syndrome is discussed based on this illustrative case.