Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma masquerading as amblyopia.
OBJECTIVE
A healthy 13-year-old girl, previously diagnosed with amblyopia in her right eye, was seen in consultation after her vision continued to decrease.


METHODS
A complete ophthalmologic examination including visual field testing and optic nerve photography was performed in the neuro-ophthalmologic clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging study was also obtained.


RESULTS
Visual sensory deficits and pale optic nerves were noted on clinical examination. Visual field testing showed a chiasmatic junctional defect. Magnetic resonance imaging verified a large chiasmatic mass, histologically proven to be a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Early recognition of signs and symptoms of chiasmatic lesions is essential for preventing visual loss.
Roh
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New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Mawn
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L
Hedges
T R
TR
D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009897:Optic Chiasm / Q000473:pathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014794:Visual Fields