Leukemic occult infiltrative optic neuropathy presenting as optic neuritis: a case report

Abstract

Isolated ocular relapses of leukemia are rare and typically present as infiltrative lesions of the optic nerve. This report presents a case of an isolated ocular relapse of leukemia in a female patient, characterized by occult infiltrative optic neuropathy. Despite the absence of leukemic cell infiltration on MRI, a 33-year-old female patient presented with optic neuritis, which resolved after intrathecal administration of chemotherapeutic agents. However, due to her non-compliance with the treatment regimen, leukemia progressed to infiltrative optic neuropathy. She refused radiation therapy, and while intrathecal injections provided temporary stabilization, they were insufficient for sustained disease control. This case uniquely documents the extended progression of an isolated ocular relapse of leukemia, evolving from an occult infiltrative lesion initially presenting as optic neuritis to a more pronounced infiltrative lesion. It suggests that leukemic optic nerve infiltration can occur in patients with leukemia even in the absence of MRI-detectable abnormalities. Radiation therapy emerges as a critical modality in the management of infiltrative lesions of the optic nerve.