Atypical anterior optic neuropathy caused by toxoplasmosis

Am J Ophthalmol. 2002 Jan;133(1):162-4. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(01)01211-9.

Abstract

Purpose: To report atypical anterior optic neuropathy due to toxoplasmosis.

Methods: Interventional case report. A 33-year-old male presented with sudden painless loss of vision and floaters in the right eye. Examination demonstrated a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200, optic nerve head edema, retinal hemorrhages, and vitreous opacities.

Results: Nine days later, a granuloma at the optic nerve head was apparent, and the patient was treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, and prednisone. Six weeks after initiating therapy, best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 20/25.

Conclusion: Optic nerve involvement in toxoplasmosis is uncommon and, when it occurs, usually presents with a white inflammatory mass on the optic disk. The current case demonstrates the importance of including toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of unilateral anterior optic neuropathy, even if a focal inflammatory mass is not apparent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis
  • Eye Diseases / drug therapy
  • Eye Diseases / etiology*
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Granuloma / diagnosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Granuloma / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papilledema / diagnosis
  • Papilledema / drug therapy
  • Papilledema / etiology*
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / complications*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / diagnosis
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / drug therapy
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitreous Body / pathology*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents