Foster Kennedy syndrome consists of central scotoma with optic atrophy in one eye and papilloedema in the fellow eye. The most common cause is:
- A Subfrontal meningioma or olfactory groove meningioma compressing the ipsilateral optic nerve and raising intracranial pressure ✓
- B Multiple sclerosis affecting bilateral optic nerves sequentially
- C Bilateral central retinal artery occlusion
- D Cavernous sinus thrombosis affecting both optic nerves
Correct answer: A. Subfrontal meningioma or olfactory groove meningioma compressing the ipsilateral optic nerve and raising intracranial pressure
Explanation
Foster Kennedy syndrome occurs when an intracranial tumour (classically a subfrontal, olfactory groove, or sphenoid wing meningioma) directly compresses and atrophies the ipsilateral optic nerve while simultaneously raising ICP to cause contralateral papilloedema. Pseudo-Foster Kennedy syndrome occurs with sequential ischaemic optic neuropathies (NAION). MS causes sequential optic neuritis; CRVO and cavernous sinus thrombosis are not the classic cause.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.