Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma Presenting as Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Optic Neuritis with Retinitis

Background

Optic neuritis associated with retinitis and severe vitreous inflammation is a challenging diagnostic problem. Clinical findings appear similar or identical in various inflammatory conditions such as ischemic neuropathy, large B cell lymphoma, demyelinating disease, severe uveitis, or paraneoplastic disorders [1].

Paraneoplastic optic neuritis is an ocular manifestation of systemic neoplasia that is clinically characterized by subacute vision reduction, optic discs swelling and neurological symptoms. In this contest, two auto-antibodies have been described in order to define two of the most important paraneoplastic syndromes which involve the eye: CAR-IgG directed against recoverin (“carcinoma-associated retinopathy”) and CRMP-5-IgG (“collapsin response-mediator protein 5”) [2]. The latter defines a paraneoplastic ophthalmological entity combining optic neuritis, retinitis and vitreous inflammatory cells.

• References

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