Bilateral optic neuropathy due to combined ethambutol and isoniazid treatment.
The case of a 40-year-old patient who underwent an unsuccessful cadaver kidney transplantation and was treated with ethambutol and isoniazid is reported. A bilateral retrobulbar neuropathy with an unusual central bitemporal hemianopic scotoma was found. Ethambutol was stopped and only small improvement of the visual acuity followed. Isoniazid was discontinued later, followed by a dramatic improvement in the visual acuity. The hazards of optic nerve toxicity due to ethambutol are known. We emphasize the potential danger in the use of ethambutol and isoniazid.
D000328:Adult; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012607:Scotoma / Q000209:etiology; D014794:Visual Fields
D004977:Ethambutol; D007538:Isoniazid