PURPOSE: To provide a review of the causes of optic disc swelling in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Two illustrative cases of bilateral optic disc swelling are presented: one in a patient known to have Crohn's disease and the other in a patient whose investigations revealed the disease. The possible causes of optic disc swelling in inflammatory bowel disease, based on a literature review, are tabulated and discussed with reference to the presented cases. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Optic disc swelling is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease. Previously reported cases have been attributed to peripapillary inflammation, optic disc ischaemia or intracranial hypertension. Postulated causes of optic nerve ischaemia include a local vasculitis or general hypercoagulability. The underlying aetiology of intracranial hypertension is often elusive. Older studies suggest a relationship between corticosteroid treatment and/or iron deficiency anaemia, while modern imaging emphasises the need to exclude dural venous sinus thrombosis.
PURPOSE: To provide a review of the causes of optic disc swelling in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Two illustrative cases of bilateral optic disc swelling are presented: one in a patient known to have Crohn's disease and the other in a patient whose investigations revealed the disease. The possible causes of optic disc swelling in inflammatory bowel disease, based on a literature review, are tabulated and discussed with reference to the presented cases. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS:Optic disc swelling is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease. Previously reported cases have been attributed to peripapillary inflammation, optic disc ischaemia or intracranial hypertension. Postulated causes of optic nerve ischaemia include a local vasculitis or general hypercoagulability. The underlying aetiology of intracranial hypertension is often elusive. Older studies suggest a relationship between corticosteroid treatment and/or iron deficiency anaemia, while modern imaging emphasises the need to exclude dural venous sinus thrombosis.