title: Optic perineuritis: a further cause of visual loss and disc edema in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optic perineuritis is a rare form of orbital inflammatory pseudotumor in which the specific target tissue is the optic nerve sheath. Patients are mainly represented by adult women. Differential diagnosis with demyelinating optic neuritis is essential in terms of prognosis and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-year-old Caucasian girl presented with bilateral loss of vision, disc edema, eye movement impairment, and diplopia. Brain MRI findings were suggestive of optic perineuritis. The patient received steroid pulse therapy followed by prolonged course of oral steroid therapy. The visual acuity recovered dramatically within 2 days. Two months later, a new MRI investigation was normal. No clinical relapse was observed at the follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We first report on a child affected by optic perineuritis. Our observation suggests that optic perineurits should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with visual loss and disc edema. An early and correct diagnosis may lead to an appropriate therapeutic approach with very good outcome.
authors: Pediatric Neurology-Immunology and Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: salvatore.grosso@unisi.it.
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Grosso
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Cornacchione
authors: Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention NINT, Department of Neurological and Sensorineural Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: D
authors: Romano
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Bertrando
authors: Ophthalmology and NeuroSurgery Department, University of Siena, Italy.
authors: Rossella
authors: R
authors: Franceschini
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Balestri
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D010211:Papilledema / Q000209:etiology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Demyelinating disease; Diplopia; Optic nerve; Optic neuritis; Pediatrics; Steroids