title: Clinical characteristics, therapeutic outcomes of isolated atypical optic neuritis in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The causes of atypical optic neuritis are different from typical demyelinating optic neuritis. It may exist as an isolated entity or may be part of a systemic process. Our aim was to determine the clinical characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes of isolated atypical optic neuritis in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria for isolated atypical optic neuritis required fulfillment of at least one of (1)-(3) and both (4), and (5): (1) Visual loss progressing for >2 weeks since onset, (2) No visual recovery over 3 weeks after onset, (3) Worsening of vision over one line of acuity after withdrawal of corticosteroids, (4) No diagnosis of a defined collagen vascular disease or neurological autoimmune disease at onset, and (5) Neuro-ophthalmic follow-up for at least 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  20 cases fulfilled isolated atypical optic neuritis inclusion criteria. 10 cases (50%) were anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive. 11 of 20 cases (55%) with flare of optic neuritis at the withdrawal of corticosteroids responded poorly to reinitiation of corticosteroid therapy. At the end of follow-up (median 41 month), vision in 60% of involved eyes (18/30 eyes) was still 20/200 or worse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In China, isolated atypical optic neuritis has a high incidence of anti-aquaporin-4 antibody and is resistant to corticosteroid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China. laichuntao@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Chuntao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Guohong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wenbing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000276:immunology; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C496030:AQP4 protein, human; D051401:Aquaporin 4; D001323:Autoantibodies