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Case Reports
. 2011 Feb 2;2(1):45-9.
doi: 10.1159/000324037.

Evolution of an Astrocytic Hamartoma of the Optic Nerve Head in a Patient with Retinitis Pigmentosa - Photographic Documentation over 2 Years of Follow-Up

Eleni Loukianou  1 , Nacima Kisma, Bishwanathan Pal
Affiliations
Case Reports

Evolution of an Astrocytic Hamartoma of the Optic Nerve Head in a Patient with Retinitis Pigmentosa - Photographic Documentation over 2 Years of Follow-Up

Eleni Loukianou et al. Case Rep Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Aim: To report photographically the evolution of an astrocytic hamartoma of the left optic nerve head over a 2-year follow-up in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa.

Methods: A 14-year-old boy was seen in the medical retina clinic with a 3-year history of night blindness. Best corrected visual acuity was 6/18 in both eyes. Colour vision was normal in both eyes and confrontation fields showed peripheral constriction. Fundus examination revealed bone spicule pigmentary changes at the retinal mid periphery typical of retinitis pigmentosa and superficial globules at the margins of both optic nerve heads. Electrodiagnostic tests confirmed moderately severe rod cone dystrophy with macular involvement bilaterally.

Results: Two years later, the ocular examination was unchanged except for the appearance of the optic nerve head lesion in the left eye. There was an increase in the size of the lesion which was diagnosed as an astrocytic hamartoma. Further investigations were recommended to exclude neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis.

Conclusion: Astrocytic hamartomas of the optic nerve head and optic nerve head drusen have both been described in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. They can be a diagnostic dilemma although drusen are more common (10%). To differentiate these two entities it is very important to document any growth during the follow-up period which is suggestive of astrocytic hamartoma rather than optic disc drusen.

Keywords: Astrocytic hamartoma; Optic disc drusen; Retinitis pigmentosa.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Optic nerve heads of both eyes on presentation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Optic nerve heads of both eyes 2 years later.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Autofluoresence imaging of the left optic nerve head.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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