Isolated optic nerve lymphoma diagnosed by optic nerve biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of isolated optic nerve lymphoma diagnosed by optic nerve biopsy.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A 66-year-old woman was referred to the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service because of a decrease in visual acuity and right optic disk edema.


RESULTS
A magnetic resonance image of the brain showed only enhancement of the optic nerve. An examination that included ANA, c-ANCA, p-ANCA, Lyme titers, FTA-ABS, ACE level, chest x-ray, and lumbar puncture was negative. Because of rapid progression on clinical examination and serial imaging, an optic nerve biopsy was performed, which showed B-cell lymphoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Optic nerve lymphoma can be confused with a variety of inflammatory and neoplastic infiltrations of the optic nerve on clinical and radiographic examinations. Optic nerve biopsy can be valuable in diagnosing isolated optic nerve lymphoma if other diagnostic tests are unrevealing, but the procedure carries considerable risk of loss of visual acuity and should be recommended judiciously.
Behbehani
Raed S
RS
Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. r_behbehani@hotmail.com
Vacarezza
Noel
N
Sergott
Robert C
RC
Bilyk
Jurij R
JR
Hochberg
Fred
F
Savino
Peter J
PJ
D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D019574:Optic Nerve Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008727:Methotrexate