title: Optic neuritis diagnosed by bedside emergency physician-performed ultrasound: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optic neuritis is an inflammatory demyelinating condition of the optic nerve that causes subacute visual loss. It is often the result of an underlying systemic condition, such as multiple sclerosis. Due to the possible long-term morbidity associated with this condition, it is essential that the emergency physician recognizes the diagnosis and expedites treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This case report describes optic neuritis diagnosed at the bedside by emergency physician-performed ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case report of a young man presenting with unilateral painful vision loss. Optic neuritis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any young patient who presents with visual complaints without any other neurologic findings. This report is unique because there are very few cases describing the findings of optic neuritis on emergency physician-performed bedside ultrasound in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article presents the case, describes diagnostic modalities, especially the use of ultrasound in its diagnosis, and the course of treatment for this particular condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wayman
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Carmody
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: bedside ultrasound; dilated optic nerve sheath diameter; elevated intracranial pressure; ocular ultrasound; optic neuritis