Isolated bilateral optic neuritis in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
OBJECTIVE
We present a 4-year-old girl with isolated visual loss related to a bilateral oedematous optic neuropathy of unknown origin, occurring after an episode of viral illness.


METHODS
A cerebral MRI was performed, showing bilateral enhancement of the optic nerves and bilateral, diffuse, cerebral white matter lesions.


RESULTS
The MRI scan suggested acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Treatment with intravenous steroids and immunoglobulins resulted in favourable visual recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral isolated optic neuritis in childhood may be the only presenting symptom in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which requires appropriate evaluation and therapeutic management.
Bangsgaard
Regitze
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. regitze@dadlnet.dk
Larsen
Vibeke Andrée
VA
Milea
Dan
D
D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous