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Strahlentherapie und Onkologie

Open Access 07-03-2024 | Metastasis | Case Study

Visual hallucinations after resection of cerebral metastases: two patients with complex phantom images

Authors: A. Ovchinnikov, L. Andereggen, S. Rogers, M. Gschwind

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie

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Abstract

Purpose

Complex visual hallucinations are rarely seen in neurooncology. They are commonly observed alongside psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia or dementia, in Parkinson’s or Lewy-body disease, after opioid medications or anesthesia, and, in particular, they appear with visual impairments.

Methods

Here we report two normal-sighted and mentally healthy patients with unusual visual hallucinations after the resection and irradiation of brain metastases, the main features of which were persistent colorful and meaningful images with hallucinatory perseveration.

Results

These cases demonstrate the occurrence of complex visual hallucinations after resection of visual cortices as an effect of deafferentation, so-called visual release hallucinations or phantom images, similar to phantom pain after amputation of a limb.

Conclusion

This case serves to heighten awareness in the radiooncology practitioner of the occurrence of visual release hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome) related to multidisciplinary treatment of brain metastases.
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Metadata
Title
Visual hallucinations after resection of cerebral metastases: two patients with complex phantom images
Authors
A. Ovchinnikov
L. Andereggen
S. Rogers
M. Gschwind
Publication date
07-03-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-024-02213-x