Preliminary communication

Prostatic Carcinoma Metastatic to the Optic Nerve

Branimir Cerovski ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Vidović ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Neda Stiglmayer ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Smiljka Popović Suić ; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Optic nerve can be infiltrated with various tumors and inflammatory processes, with a considerable prevalence of primary over secondary tumors. Metastases of gastric carcinoma to the optic nerve are less frequently, and those of prostatic carcinoma very infrequently observed. A 66 year-old man presented with metastasis to the optic nerve with consequential vision loss to the level of light perception developed two years after prostatic surgery. Systemic therapy with methylprednisolone resulted in a satisfactory vision function recovery. According to literature data, prostatic carcinoma metastases to the optic nerve occur very rarely. In our patient with the optic nerve infiltration found on the first clinical examination, papillary edema was associated with the signs of optic nerve functional impairment (visual acuity, visual field, unilateral RAPD). An infiltrative process involving a distal portion of the optic nerve usually does not cause papillary alterations, and produces a clinical picture of retrobulbar optic neuropathy, such as that observed in our patient on the second clinical examination, showing the signs of optic nerve damage.

Keywords

metastases; optic nerve; prostatic carcinoma

Hrčak ID:

51546

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/51546

Publication date:

1.12.2009.

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