Atypical features prompting neuroimaging in acute optic neuropathy in adults
Document Type
Article
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute optic neuropathy due to an intracranial lesion may masquerade as optic neuritis or nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). We reviewed the records of patients who presented with acute unilateral optic neuropathy that was initially diagnosed as optic neuritis or NAION but who ultimately proved to have an underlying structural lesion. METHODS: Retrospective observational case series. We reviewed the records of patients with the initial diagnosis of optic neuritis or NAION in whom the diagnosis was changed to an intracranial etiology at four tertiary care neuro-ophthalmology centres between 1995 and 1998. RESULTS: Eight cases were identified in which atypical features prompted further investigation, including neuroimaging, leading to the diagnosis of an intracranial etiology for the optic neuropathy. Five patients were discovered to have neoplasms (a tuberculum sellae meningioma in two cases, an optic nerve sheath meningioma in two cases and a metastatic lesion in one case), and three patients had intracranial sarcoidosis. Atypical features for optic neuritis included a progressive course, absence of pain, optic atrophy at presentation, lack of significant visual improvement and age over 40 years. For NAION, the atypical features included progressive course, optic atrophy on presentation, absence of vasculopathic risk factors and preceding transient visual loss. INTERPRETATION: Clinicians should be aware that patients with intracranial lesions may present with acute optic neuropathy mimicking optic neuritis or NAION and that certain atypical features should warrant consideration for neuroimaging.
Medical Subject Headings
Acute Disease; Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Optic Nerve (pathology); Optic Neuritis (diagnosis, etiology); Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic (diagnosis, etiology); Retrospective Studies
Publication Date
10-1-2000
Publication Title
Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie
ISSN
0008-4182
Volume
35
Issue
6
First Page
325
Last Page
30
PubMed ID
11091914
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1016/s0008-4182(00)80060-5
Recommended Citation
Lee, A G.; Lin, D J.; Kaufman, M; Golnik, K C.; Vaphiades, M S.; and Eggenberger, E, "Atypical features prompting neuroimaging in acute optic neuropathy in adults" (2000). Neurology. 1547.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1547