Coexistence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome and occipital epilepsy: A diagnostic challenge

Vijaya Lakshmi Valaparla; Aabishkar Bhattarai; Patrick J. Karas; Diosely C. Silveira

doi:10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100764

Coexistence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome and occipital epilepsy: A diagnostic challenge

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairment. We present the case of a patient with bilateral optic atrophy secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) who experienced formed visual hallucinations consistent with CBS. Following a right occipital craniotomy for occipital transtentorial approach and tumor resection, she developed elementary visual hallucinations. A thorough clinical history and systematic diagnostic evaluation led to the identification of coexisting right occipital epilepsy. This case highlights an intriguing overlap of two positive visual phenomena with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	100764
Journal	Epilepsy and Behavior Reports
Volume	30
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100764
State	Published - Jun 2025

Keywords

Charles Bonnet Syndrome
Occipital epilepsy
Visual hallucination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neurology
Clinical Neurology
Behavioral Neuroscience

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10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100764

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title = "Coexistence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome and occipital epilepsy: A diagnostic challenge",

abstract = "Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairment. We present the case of a patient with bilateral optic atrophy secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) who experienced formed visual hallucinations consistent with CBS. Following a right occipital craniotomy for occipital transtentorial approach and tumor resection, she developed elementary visual hallucinations. A thorough clinical history and systematic diagnostic evaluation led to the identification of coexisting right occipital epilepsy. This case highlights an intriguing overlap of two positive visual phenomena with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.",

keywords = "Charles Bonnet Syndrome, Occipital epilepsy, Visual hallucination",

author = "Valaparla, \{Vijaya Lakshmi\} and Aabishkar Bhattarai and Karas, \{Patrick J.\} and Silveira, \{Diosely C.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025",

year = "2025",

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doi = "10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100764",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "30",

journal = "Epilepsy and Behavior Reports",

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T2 - A diagnostic challenge

AU - Valaparla, Vijaya Lakshmi

AU - Bhattarai, Aabishkar

AU - Karas, Patrick J.

AU - Silveira, Diosely C.

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairment. We present the case of a patient with bilateral optic atrophy secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) who experienced formed visual hallucinations consistent with CBS. Following a right occipital craniotomy for occipital transtentorial approach and tumor resection, she developed elementary visual hallucinations. A thorough clinical history and systematic diagnostic evaluation led to the identification of coexisting right occipital epilepsy. This case highlights an intriguing overlap of two positive visual phenomena with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

AB - Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) is a condition characterized by complex visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairment. We present the case of a patient with bilateral optic atrophy secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) who experienced formed visual hallucinations consistent with CBS. Following a right occipital craniotomy for occipital transtentorial approach and tumor resection, she developed elementary visual hallucinations. A thorough clinical history and systematic diagnostic evaluation led to the identification of coexisting right occipital epilepsy. This case highlights an intriguing overlap of two positive visual phenomena with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

KW - Charles Bonnet Syndrome

KW - Occipital epilepsy

KW - Visual hallucination

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UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004030497#tab=citedBy

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DO - 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100764

M3 - Article

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AN - SCOPUS:105004030497

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VL - 30

JO - Epilepsy and Behavior Reports

JF - Epilepsy and Behavior Reports

M1 - 100764

ER -

Coexistence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome and occipital epilepsy: A diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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