Infiltrative Optic Neuropathy in a Patient with Gastric Carcinoma: Case Report and State of the Art

Abstract

Julia Canas-Martin, Silvia Munoz, Anna Noel, Jordi Fabrega, Juan Alberto Rubio, Laura Dominguez, Catalina Esmerado, Consuelo Gutierrez-Ortiz

Introduction: Metastatic tumors to the optic disc are a rare event. Infiltration of the optic nerve head is usually a unilateral process with characteristic funduscopic features. Loss of vision is its main symptom. Neuroimaging should be performed in every patient suspected of infiltrative optic neuropathy. The patient should be referred for appropriated chemotherapy for the systemic cancer plus external ocular irradiation.

Case Presentation: The case of a 75-year-old man with progressive vision loss in his left eye is presented. Among his medical background a gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) with multiple liver metastases is highlighted. The exploration showed an optic nerve head invaded by chalky whitish infiltrates, associated to flame- shaped hemorrhages along the vascular arcades; the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated signal enhancement of the posterior region of the left ocular globe, affecting the optic nerve head. Orbital radiotherapy was ruled out due to patient’s systemic situation.

Discussion: Metastases and optic nerve infiltration should be suspected in every oncologic patient who develops optic neuropathy. Though a rare condition with poor systemic prognosis, patients should be studied and offered orbital radiotherapy in order to stabilize the ocular progression.

PDF