BACKGROUND: Leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve is relatively rare. While previously described in acute leukemia, the infiltration in our case represents central nervous system (CNS) metastasis of Burkitt-type lymphoma that developed as a complication of solid-organ transplantation, resulting in a bilateral infiltrative optic neuropathy with sequential, bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and devastating vision loss. METHODS: The medical record, serial ophthalmic examination findings, clinical course, and imaging including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiography of a single patient were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated multifocal cortical and leptomeningeal CNS involvement, including the left optic nerve. Serial fundus examination/photography and fluorescein angiography showed that despite urgent whole-brain irradiation and systemic chemotherapy, CNS disease progressed to bilateral optic nerve infiltration and CRAO with no light perception vision in both eyes. CONCLUSION: CRAO can occur as a devastating and irreversible complication of lymphoproliferative optic nerve infiltration.
BACKGROUND:Leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve is relatively rare. While previously described in acute leukemia, the infiltration in our case represents central nervous system (CNS) metastasis of Burkitt-type lymphoma that developed as a complication of solid-organ transplantation, resulting in a bilateral infiltrative optic neuropathy with sequential, bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and devastating vision loss. METHODS: The medical record, serial ophthalmic examination findings, clinical course, and imaging including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiography of a single patient were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated multifocal cortical and leptomeningeal CNS involvement, including the left optic nerve. Serial fundus examination/photography and fluorescein angiography showed that despite urgent whole-brain irradiation and systemic chemotherapy, CNS disease progressed to bilateral optic nerve infiltration and CRAO with no light perception vision in both eyes. CONCLUSION: CRAO can occur as a devastating and irreversible complication of lymphoproliferative optic nerve infiltration.
Entities:
Keywords:
Burkitt lymphoma; Case report; Central retinal artery occlusion; Leukemic central nervous system infiltration; Optic nerve infiltration; Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Authors: Raymond S Douglas; Scott M Goldstein; James A Katowitz; Roberta E Gausas; Michael S Ibarra; Donald Tsai; Atul Sharma; Charles Nichols Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2002-12 Impact factor: 12.079