Foster Kennedy syndrome
Clinical syndrome of unilateral optic atrophy with contralateral papilledema, typically caused by frontal lobe mass lesions.
Full Definition
Foster Kennedy syndrome is a rare neurological condition characterized by the combination of unilateral optic atrophy and contralateral papilledema, typically resulting from a frontal lobe mass lesion such as a meningioma or glioma. The syndrome occurs when a slowly growing tumor compresses the optic nerve on one side (causing progressive atrophy) while simultaneously increasing intracranial pressure and producing papilledema in the opposite eye. The affected eye shows decreased vision, central scotoma, and a pale optic disc, while the contralateral eye exhibits papilledema with initially preserved vision. Additional features may include anosmia (loss of smell) due to compression of the olfactory nerve and personality changes from frontal lobe involvement. The condition is named after Foster Kennedy, who first described this constellation of findings in 1911.
Usage
Usage note: Named syndrome; capitalize both names. Distinguish from pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome.
In Context
- "The olfactory groove meningioma caused Foster Kennedy syndrome with left optic atrophy and right papilledema." — Neurosurgical consultation
- "Foster Kennedy syndrome was suspected given the asymmetric optic disc findings and frontal mass on imaging." — Diagnostic impression