Optichohiasmal arachnoiditis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Neuritis of the central origin also includes the disease of the optic nerve, called optohohiasmal arachnoiditis.
This is a lesion of the optic nerve, which appears as an infectious process in the region of the chiasma and leads to a secondary, descending inflammation of the optic nerve, followed by atrophy.
Causes of the optohohiasmal arachnoiditis
Etiology, as well as the pathogenesis of the disease, is not entirely clear.
- Optical-chiasmal arachnoiditis can arise due to the following reasons:
- Infections (cysticercosis, tuberculosis, etc.).
- Viral infection (poliomyelitis, encephalitis).
- Infections of the paranasal sinuses.
- Injuries and consequences of surgical intervention (rupture of cerebral aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage).
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Symptoms of the optohohiasmal arachnoiditis
Clinically, optohohiasmal arachnoiditis is characterized by multiple or central scotomas and gradual drop in vision.
Stages
Forms
- Parenchymal.
- Diffuse.
- Cystic.
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Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis is performed with multiple sclerosis.
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Treatment of the optohohiasmal arachnoiditis
Treatment of opticchiosmal arachnoiditis is carried out mainly in the neurological department, since the basis of the disease is basal brain damage. Initially, the treatment is conservative, as in neuritis of the optic nerve of a different nature. After the end of the active inflammatory process in the region of the chiasma, neurosurgical intervention is applied, which consists in clearing the visual pathways from the post-inflammatory adhesions in the region of the chiasma, as these spikes are the cause of the atrophy of the optic nerves.