Visual-evoked responses in children with optic gliomas, with and without neurofibromatosis.

Gliomas of the optic pathway are considered to be slowly growing, potentially benign neoplasms. Association of this tumor with neurofibromatosis has been well established. We have recently evaluated 7 children with putative evidence of optic glioma, 6 of whom had additional evidence of neurofibromatosis. All children had CT scans and visual-evoked responses. CT scan allows anatomic assessment of the optic nerve mass while evoked responses offer the possibility of identifying functional abnormalities in the optic pathway. It is felt that both these modalities will add in the early diagnosis of optic gliomas and help to further establish the true natural history of this tumor.