Infiltrative optic neuropathy: A neuro-oncological emergency

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a disorder caused by the abnormal proliferation of immature lymphocytes. Of the varied ocular manifestations seen in ALL, infiltration of the optic nerve is a rare and serious complication that heralds a relapse of the disease. It requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Urgent intervention may prove to be lifesaving. We describe a case of optic neuropathy in a 12-year-old boy with ALL and wish to emphasize the need to maintain a low threshold for diagnosing optic nerve infiltration in patients with a prior history of leukemia.

Keywords

• acute lymphoblastic leukemia
• optic nerve infiltration
• optic neuropathy