Isolated lymphoma of the optic nerve, chiasm and tract: A case report

Abstract

The current study reports the case of a 68-year-old, previously healthy female who presented with progressive visual impairment leading to blindness bilaterally. Brain imaging features were suggestive of malignant glioma of the anterior visual pathway. Postoperative examination indicated a diagnosis of diffuse malignant lymphoma type B. As no evidence of extracranial lymphoma was observed, the final diagnosis was primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Following treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, the patient’s symptoms went into remission. At a follow-up examination 12 months after diagnosis, the patient demonstrated no evidence of recurrence. To the best of our knowledge, PCNSL isolated to the optic chiasm has been reported only three times in immunocompetent patients. Therefore, the present case of the lymphoma involving the optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tract in an immunocompetent patient is unusual. The present case emphasizes the importance of considering the diagnosis of lymphoma in this setting.