Optic glioma warranting treatment in children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe cases of optic pathway glioma (OPG) warranting treatment in children.


METHODS
This is a retrospective review of pediatric patients treated for OPG. The clinical data and imaging studies were obtained from the medical records and radiology files of patients seen at the Pediatric Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic at the University of Illinois, Chicago and the private office of the author (LMK).


RESULTS
A total of seven cases with an age range of 3-48 months at presentation were reviewed. Three of the patients were also ultimately diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1. Presenting symptoms included proptosis, decreased vision, gaze deficit, and nystagmus. Four patients underwent biopsies that confirmed OPG. Six of the patients were treated with intravenous chemotherapy, with three patients requiring a second chemotherapy cycle. One patient was successfully treated with an en-bloc optic nerve excision. Two patients underwent unilateral enucleation owing to globe complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Although benign tumours, OPG can behave very aggressively in young children. Both chemotherapy and en-bloc excision can be employed for treatment.
Kaufman
L M
LM
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Section of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. idoc00@sbcglobal.net
Doroftei
O
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D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000209:etiology; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D020339:Optic Nerve Glioma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology