Optic disc swelling in Crohn's disease.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Walker
J C
JC
Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia, Australia. jwalker@medicine.adelaide.edu.au
Selva
D
D
Pietris
G
G
Crompton
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003113:Colonoscopy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone