
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Optic nerve glioma physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Common physical examination findings of optic nerve glioma include nystagmus, strabismus, proptosis, visual impairment, afferent pupillary defect, edema and/or pallor of optic disc, torticollis and deficits of cranial nerve II.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Eyes
- Nystagmus may be present.[1][2]
- Strabismus
- Visual impairment
- Proptosis
- Visual field tests
- Afferent pupillary defect
- Fundoscopic examination may show pallor and/or edema of the optic disc due to atrophy. Initially, optic nerve head is swollen but subsequently it becomes atrophic. Central retinal vein occlusion and optociliary collaterals may occasionally be seen.
- On slit-lamp examination iris hamartomas (Lisch nodules) may be identified in optic nerve glioma patients with associated NF-1.
Head
- Torticollis may be present[3]
Neurological
- Mental status may be altered if obstructive hydrocephalus is present.
- There are deficits in cranial nerves II- Involuntary eyeball movement and loss of peripheral vision in one or both eyes.
Skin
References
References
- ↑ Lavery MA, O’Neill JF, Chu FC, Martyn LJ (1984). “Acquired nystagmus in early childhood: a presenting sign of intracranial tumor”. Ophthalmology. 91 (5): 425–53. PMID 6739045.
- ↑ Arnoldi KA, Tychsen L (1995). “Prevalence of intracranial lesions in children initially diagnosed with disconjugate nystagmus (spasmus nutans)”. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 32 (5): 296–301. PMID 8531033.
- ↑ Koenig SB, Naidich TP, Zaparackas Z (1982). “Optic glioma masquerading as spasmus nutans”. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 19 (1): 20–4. PMID 7069562.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]
