Background: Leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve is relatively rare. While previously described in acute leukemia, the infiltration in our case represents central nervous system (CNS) metastasis of Burkitt-type lymphoma that developed as a complication of solid-organ transplantation, resulting in a bilateral infiltrative optic neuropathy with sequential, bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and devastating vision loss.
Methods: The medical record, serial ophthalmic examination findings, clinical course, and imaging including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiography of a single patient were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: MRI demonstrated multifocal cortical and leptomeningeal CNS involvement, including the left optic nerve. Serial fundus examination/photography and fluorescein angiography showed that despite urgent whole-brain irradiation and systemic chemotherapy, CNS disease progressed to bilateral optic nerve infiltration and CRAO with no light perception vision in both eyes.
Conclusion: CRAO can occur as a devastating and irreversible complication of lymphoproliferative optic nerve infiltration.
Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma; Case report; Central retinal artery occlusion; Leukemic central nervous system infiltration; Optic nerve infiltration; Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.