No abstract

In a patient with stenosis of the left internal carotid artery acute amaurosis of the left eye was observed after carotid arteriography. The macular branches of the central retinal artery and of the cilioretinal artery were obliterated by embolic material. Two further patients with carotid occlusion and stenosis, in whom spontaneous loss of vision occured, are presented. In such cases the diagnosis may be made with comparable accuracy by other methods, such as ophthalmodynamometry or angioscintigraphy, which entail risk to the patient.

The growth of a small arteriovenous angioma over a period of almost 18 years in a 20 year old patient has been proved by arteriography. This case is added to 29 cases previously published in the literature. The authors do not readily accept the theory of autochthonous growth, but prefer secondary or "pseudo-growth". In favour of this there are the following factors: 1. Not all arteriovenous angiomas observed over long periods show growth. 2. There are undoubted haemodynamic circulatory disturbances with turbulence, "wind-pocket effects", and abnormal shunts. 3. After complete removal of an angioma the cerebral circulation becomes normal and there is regression of the dilatation of the feeding and draining vessels.