Optic nerve glioma is the most common type of tumor of this nerve. While it occurs in the pediatric and adult populations, clinical manifestations typically become apparent in childhood. If symptomatic, signs include decreased visual acuity, proptosis, strabismus, and swelling of the optic disc. This tumor is strongly associated with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) but can exist alone. The diagnosis is based on a detailed history, eye and general exam, and imaging.
Presentation
Optic nerve glioma (ONG) is the most predominant type of neoplasm of the optic nerve [1]. These tumors are frequently unilateral and have a predilection for females [1]. They occur sporadically although familial cases do develop in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) as these diseases are strongly associated [1] [2]. Furthermore, most ONGs occur in children while three-fourth of sufferers experience symptoms within the first decade and 90% by the age of 20 years [3].
The clinical presentation includes decreased visual acuity and function, progressive proptosis, and swelling of the optic disc [1] [4]. Strabismus is another common feature [4]. There is no pain associated. Some cases will suffer from acute blindness and worsening proptosis secondary to hemorrhage [5]. Note that not all ONGs produce complaints as some are detected incidentally during routine screening in those with NF1 [4].
Complications
Chronic compression of the central retinal vein can result in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and other severe eye pathologies [1].
Physical exam
Fundoscopy reveals pallor and swelling of the optic disc and impaired acuity [4] [6]. Moreover, the eye exam demonstrates an abnormal pupillary reflex as well as visual field deficits. The latter reflects the affected optic nerve segments. For example, the involvement of the portion anterior to the optic chiasm results in a visual loss in the ipsilateral eye. Additionally, a defect in the optic chiasm causes bitemporal hemianopsia whereas a damaged segment posterior to the chiasm leads to homonymous hemianopsia.
Proptosis is apparent and may appear cosmetically disfiguring [6]. Eye movements may also be affected [6].
Patients with NF-1 will exhibit skin lesions in addition to other features.
Entire Body System
- Turkish
History Meanings of "optic nerve glioma" in Turkish English Dictionary : 1 result(s) Category English Turkish Optics 1 Optics optic nerve glioma optik sinir gliomu Pronunciation of optic nerve glioma Term Options [tureng.com]
Eyes
- Unilateral Proptosis
A 2 and a half year-old boy with neurofibromatosis developed unilateral proptosis, decreased visual acuity, and optic disk edema. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Gradual, painless, unilateral proptosis associated with loss of vision and an afferent pupillary defect is a common presentation. Proptosis often is non-axial, with temporal or inferior dystopia. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Neurologic
- Papilledema
He had papilledema in his remaining eye. At exploration, a cerebellar astrocytoma and a neuroglial hamartoma were removed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
[…] performed to see the entire extent of the lesion since it could appear to be more extensive than it is on T2-weighted images secondary to edema Differential Diagnosis Sarcoidosis Infiltration by leukemia or lymphoma Optic neuritis Perineural hematoma Papilledema [eyefacialplasticsurgery.com]
[…] performed to see the entire extent of the lesion since it might appear to be more extensive than it is on T2-weighted images secondary to edema Differential Diagnosis Sarcoidosis Infiltration by leukemia or lymphoma Optic neuritis Perineural hematoma Papilledema [drelizabethnguyen.com]
[…] performed to see the entire extent of the lesion since it may possibly appear to be more extensive than it is on T2-weighted images secondary to edema Differential Diagnosis Sarcoidosis Infiltration by leukemia or lymphoma Optic neuritis Perineural hematoma Papilledema [eyeplastics.com]
Definition / general Relatively rare Slow growing tumor within orbital segment of optic nerve Usually ages 0 - 9 years with symptoms of minimal exophthalmos, optic nerve atrophy or papilledema Associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 Radiology description [pathologyoutlines.com]
- Frontal Headache
A 15-year-old girl presented with a 3-year history of frontal headaches and a 5-month history of blurred vision in the right eye. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Unable to Walk
After being unable to walk or practice her favorite activity, dancing, for nearly a year, she was diagnosed at age 10 with a cancer no doctor... more [alexslemonade.org]
- Bitemporal Hemianopsia
Additionally, a defect in the optic chiasm causes bitemporal hemianopsia whereas a damaged segment posterior to the chiasm leads to homonymous hemianopsia. Proptosis is apparent and may appear cosmetically disfiguring. [symptoma.com]
Workup
Those coming with the above clinical manifestations should be considered for optic nerve glioma. Additionally, children with NF-1 should be screened for this tumor. The workup will include a thorough history, assessment of the symptoms, a detailed ophthalmic and general physical exam, and the appropriate studies.
Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred diagnostic tool for optic nerve gliomas. This modality is more effective than computed tomography (CT) in characterizing the intraorbital tumor and the extent of its growth as it broadens into the chiasm [1] [7] [8]. CT scanning typically depicts lesions confined within the orbit. Note that both MRI and CT show an enlarged optic canal if present, although this finding does not necessarily indicate an intracranial extension.
MRI with gadolinium enhancement and fat saturation characterizes the extent of the lesion. Moreover, T1-weighted tumors are described as hypointense to isointense [9] [10] whereas T2-weighted masses are revealed as isointense or hyperintense.
Very importantly, an ONG appears differently on imaging in patients with NF1 than it does in isolated cases [1]. When associated with NF1, the lesion can expand into subarachnoid and subdural spaces [11]. In individuals without NF1, imaging tends to feature diffuse fusiform expansion of the optic nerve with a bend or kink [1] [12].
Treatment
The treatment of optic nerve glioma requires a multi-disciplinary approach where all treatment options may have to be implemented in a highly individualized manner. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
In my experience, parents are relieved to hear this and can accept expectant observation as a management option over immediate treatment once the facts about optic gliomas and their treatment are calmly explained. [healio.com]
Prognosis
RESULTS: "En bloc" removal in patients with optic nerve glioma led to complete visual deficit but ensures excellent long-term prognosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Patients with an optic glioma and neurofibromatosis type 1 have a better prognosis than those who do not have neurofibromatosis. [thamburaj.com]
In general, patients with NF-1 have a better visual prognosis and their optic nerve gliomas rarely cause progressive vision loss beyond the age of 12. [healio.com]
Prognosis : primary iris melanomas are usually well differentiated and rarely metastasise (rate is about 5%). They are generally slow-growing tumours with an excellent prognosis. [patient.info]
Etiology
After discussing the different possible etiologies to the wedge-shaped defects, the disruption of the nerve fiber layer due to the chorioretinal lesion was considered the most plausible cause. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Clinical Symptoms decreased visual acuity minimal proptosis restricted, decreased eye movement strabismus Etiology neoplasm of the optic nerve sometimes referred to as juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma Optic nerve glioma in adults are glioblastoma Optic [eyefacialplasticsurgery.com]
Clinical Symptoms decreased visual acuity minimal proptosis restricted, decreased eye movement strabismus Etiology neoplasm of the optic nerve may also be called juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma Optic nerve glioma in adults are glioblastoma Optic nerve [drelizabethnguyen.com]
Some hypotheses could be made about the possible etiologies for this case. Sector scotomas associated with posterior uveitis such as toxoplasmosis have already been described. [scielo.br]
Epidemiology
Histology of Optic Nerve Glioma usually slowly growing tumour (pilocytic astrocytoma WHO grade I Epidemiology of Optic Nerve Glioma 80% occur in first decade of life very rarely occur in adulthood neurofibromatosis type I as known risk factor Symptoms [hirntumorhilfe.org]
Diagnosis: Optic nerve glioma associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 EPIDEMIOLOGY of NF1 Rare condition (1 per 3-4,000 people) characterized by hamartomas of neural crest origin Autosomal dominant inheritance Variable expressivity, 100% penetrance Half [eyerounds.org]
Epidemiology OPGs account for 3-5% of all brain tumors in children. Approximately 75% of OPGs are diagnosed within the first decade, and 60% are diagnosed before 5 years of age. The mean age of presentation is 8.8 years. [atlasgeneticsoncology.org]
Pathophysiology
The association of optic glioma and other intracranial neoplasms in patients with NF1 suggests that there are fundamental pathophysiological differences between patients with and without optic glioma [4]. [wikigenes.org]
Prevention
She was treated with chemotherapy to prevent further extension of her sight-threatening tumour. Three years after chemotherapy her growth hormone hypersecretion has resolved although she has gone on to develop precocious puberty. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
There are no treatments with demonstrated effectiveness in curing optic gliomas or preventing the vision loss that may be associated with them. [healio.com]
They bring together our team of multidisciplinary experts to deliver a coordinated approach to neuroscience, from research and prevention to treatment and post-treatment care. [neuro.northshorelij.com]
Most kids do well with treatment, and further vision loss usually is prevented. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. [kidshealth.org]
References
- Miller NR. Primary tumours of the optic nerve and its sheath. Eye (Lond). 2004;18(11):1026-37.
- Listernick R, Louis DN, Packer RJ, Gutmann DH. Optic pathway gliomas in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: consensus statement from the NF1 Optic Glioma Task Force. Ann Neurol. 1997;41(2):143–149.
- Chutorian AM, Schwartz JF, Evans RA, Carter S. Optic gliomas in children. Neurology. 1964;14:83–95.
- Tow SL, Chandela S, Miller NR, Avellino AM. Long-term prognosis in children with gliomas of the anterior visual pathway. Pediatr Neurol. 2003;28(4):262–270.
- Sharma A, Mohan K, Saini JS. Haemorrhagic changes in pilocytic astrocytoma of the optic nerve. Orbit 1990; 9(1): 29–33.
- Chen A, Yoon MK, Haugh S, et al. Surgical management of an optic nerve glioma with perineural arachnoidal gliomatosis growth pattern. J Neuroophthalmol. 2013;33(1):51-53.
- Aoki S, Barkovich AJ, Nishimura K, et al. Neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2: cranial MR findings. Radiology. 1989;172(2):527-534.
- Hendrix LE, Kneeland JB, Haughton VM, et al. MR imaging of optic nerve lesions: value of gadopentetate dimeglumine and fat-suppression technique. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1990;11(4):749-754.
- Glass LR, Canoll P, Lignelli A, Ligon AH, Kazim M. Optic nerve glioma: case series with review of clinical, radiologic, molecular, and histopathologic characteristics. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;30(5):372-376.
- Shofty B, Mauda-Havakuk M, Weizman L, et al. The effect of chemotherapy on optic pathway gliomas and their sub-components: A volumetric MR analysis study. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2015;62(8):1353-1359.
- Stern J, Jakobiec FA, Housepian EM. The architecture of optic nerve gliomas with and without neurofibromatosis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1980; 98: 505–511.
- Brodsky MC. The 'pseudo-CSF' signal of orbital optic gliomas on magnetic resonance imaging: a signature of neurofibromatosis. Surv Ophthalmol. 1993; 38(2):213–218.