J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2011 Feb;52(2):250-254.

Leukemic Infiltration of the Optic Nerve Head as the Initial Manifestation of Leukemic Relapse

• Park S
• Park SK
• Park TK

Abstract

PURPOSE
To present a case of leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve head as the initial manifestation of leukemic relapse.
CASE SUMMARY
A 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Complete remission was achieved after 4 complete courses of chemotherapy. She complained of a sudden decrease in visual acuity in her left eye. Fundus examination showed severe optic disc edema with peripapillary hemorrhage and serous retinal detachment. Visual acuity and fundus continued to aggravate and high-dose intravenous steroid therapy was instituted. Visual acuity and fundus deteriorated more after treatment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and CSF study were normal but intrathecal chemotherapy and focal irradiation were performed on account of the suspected CNS involvement of leukemia. Morphologic improvement in the retinal structure was achieved, however, optic atrophy remained and her vision did not recover.
CONCLUSIONS
The present case shows the involvement of the optic nerve head as the initial isolated manifestation for the relapse in a patient with complete remission. CNS involvement is rare in acute myeloid leukemia and in particular, the optic nerve is rarely reported as the initial isolated presentation for the relapse. Moreover, the disease progression relatively aggravated after treatment. In the atypical aspects of leukemic relapse, the present case was noticeable.

Keyword

Acute myeloid leukemia; CNS involvement of leukemia; Optic disc edema

MeSH Terms

Aged
Brain
Disease Progression
Edema
Eye
Female
Hemorrhage
Humans
Leukemia
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
Leukemic Infiltration
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Optic Atrophy
Optic Disk
Optic Nerve
Recurrence
Retinal Detachment
Retinaldehyde
Vision, Ocular
Visual Acuity
Retinaldehyde

Figure

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  Figure 1. Fundus photograph and OCT finding on the first visit. Optic disc edema with peripapillary hemorrhages is observed (A). Associated serous retinal detachment is seen (B). Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness obtained with a circular scan around the optic disc is out of normal range, suggesting optic disc edema (C). Retinal thickness map also revealed increased thickness of macula and nasal side due to serous retinal detachment (D). INF=inferior; NAS=nasal; SUP=superior; TEMP=temporal.

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  Figure 2. Fluorescein angiogram on the 12 th day of admission. Severe leakage around the optic disc which started in the early phase and continued to the late phase was shown. Dilated vessels are also noticed (A-D).

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  Figure 3. Fundus photographs and OCT findings since the 12 th day of admission. Compared with initial findings, optic disc edema and peripapillary hemorrhages are aggravated and multiple retinal hemorrhages were also noted (A). Moreover, serous retinal detachment in perimacular lesion was much progressed (B). After starting high-dose intravenous corticosteroids therapy on the 15 th day of admission, optic disc edema with peripapillary hemorrhages was rather more deteriorated (C), but on the contrary to disc edema, serous retinal detachment was much diminished (D). Two months later, previous optic disc edema and peripapillary hemorrhages were nearly disappeared but optic atrophy remains (E). Previous serous retinal detachment was also absorbed, and morphologic improvement in the retinal structure is noticed (F).

Reference

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