Palinopsia: a review of the literature.

The literature on palinopsia (visual perseveration) is reviewed, utilizing case reports of 46 patients who demonstrated this symptom. The most common etiologies for this symptom are space-occupying lesions, cerebral infarct, and seizure activity. The vast majority are due to central nervous system pathology occurring in the posterior (occipital or parieto-occipital) region, often in the right hemisphere. Proposed mechanisms for palinopsia are also discussed.