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Opticochiasmal arachnoiditis.
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Neuritis of central origin also includes a disease of the optic nerve called optic-chiasmatic arachnoiditis.
This is a lesion of the optic nerve that occurs as an infectious process in the chiasm area and leads to secondary, descending inflammation of the optic nerve with subsequent atrophy.
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Causes opticochiasmal arachnoiditis.
The etiology, as well as the pathogenesis of the disease, is not entirely clear.
- Opticochiasmal arachnoiditis may occur due to the following reasons:
- Infections (cysticercosis, tuberculosis, etc.).
- Viral infection (polio, encephalitis).
- Sinus infections.
- Trauma and consequences of surgical intervention (rupture of cerebral aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage).
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Symptoms opticochiasmal arachnoiditis.
Clinically, optic chiasmatic arachnoiditis is characterized by multiple or central scotomas and gradual loss of vision.
Stages
Forms
- Parenchymatous.
- Diffuse.
- Cystic.
What do need to examine?
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis is carried out with multiple sclerosis.
Who to contact?
Treatment opticochiasmal arachnoiditis.
Treatment of optic-chiasmatic arachnoiditis is carried out mainly in the neurological department, since the basis of the disease is a basal lesion of the brain. At first, the treatment is conservative, as with optic neuritis of another nature. After the end of the active inflammatory process in the chiasm area, neurosurgical intervention is used, which consists in freeing the visual pathways from post-inflammatory adhesions in the chiasm area, since these adhesions are the cause of optic nerve atrophy.