Pendular Seesaw Nystagmus in a Patient With a Giant Pituitary Macroadenoma: Pathophysiology and the Role of the Accessory Optic System

We describe a patient with a giant pituitary adenoma who developed pendular seesaw nystagmus. Disturbance in the visuovestibular system is postulated to contribute to this form of seesaw nystagmus. Lesions compressing the optic chiasm and the accessory optic system could interrupt the transmission of retinal error signals to the inferior olivary nucleus and the interstitial nucleus of Cajal, thus interfering with the adaptive mechanism of the vestibulo-ocular reflex and leading to pendular seesaw nystagmus.
Source: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Tags: Clinical Observation Source Type: research