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  • 1.  your case une

    Posted 13 days ago

    Hello,

    Any drusen seen? 

    I also wonder whether the 2 recent transient events could represent something other than migraine, such as transient hemodynamic compromise or even a cardiac arrhythmia producing hypoperfusion in already predisposed optic nerves.

    The original presentation at age 20 would still be unusual for this mechanism, although the apparently near-simultaneous bilateral onset is interesting.

    Any history of GI blood loss, ulcers, melena, or significant anemia preceding either event?

    Did his MRA/CTA demonstrate any anomalous carotid or ophthalmic circulation? Rare developmental variants can occasionally create situations where one carotid circulation substantially supplies both ophthalmic circulations or otherwise produces unusual anterior circulation hemodynamics. May be worthwhile to evaluate if this has not already been assessed.

    Overall this does seem more consistent with AION as you suggest rather than MOG-related disease, particularly given the lack of steroid responsiveness, absence of MRI enhancement, and persistently negative antibodies. Were the initial antibody studies obtained before steroid treatment?

    What still seems important to explain mechanistically is the bilateral involvement at age 20 and then the new event now, especially since the more recently affected eye may already have been somewhat "decompressed" from prior NFL loss over time. I assume the more recent OCT still demonstrated swelling OS? I am having a little trouble seeing it clearly on my iPhone.

    Jade




  • 2.  RE: your case une

    Posted 13 days ago
    Although bilateral simultaneous would be distinctly unusual, have you checked homocysteine levels ? I have seen a 21 year-old who had sequential bilateral ischemic optic neuropathy on the basis


    Sent from my iPhone





  • 3.  RE: your case une

    Posted 13 days ago
    In the distant past, in a galaxy not unlike ours, Valerie Purivn and I reported on cases of young patients in apparently good health (they were worked up as best we could). It does seem like things have not changed much. It was not unusual for attacks to be separated by months or years, with more dramatic field loss and asymmetrical clinical symptoms, and they may occasionally have a second episode. I would be interested in comments from my age group.
    I am now living in n Massachusetts, which without a doubt has the absolute worst health care in the nation. You know how rich people are frequently born into money; well, here, you cannot see a good doctor unless you were born here and inherited one. You cannot even volunteer to use a resident. There is a grand exodus of attendings to the concierge world. Neuro-ohthalmology is a great practice, but look at all the adjustments you have to make to see patients when they do need to be seen.
    Mickey Rosenberg




  • 4.  RE: your case une

    Posted 12 days ago
    Michael,
    I moved to Northampton MA four years ago. It took me a year to get a primary care doctor and my wife 18 months to see a dermatologist for a basal cell on her nose. I am the only neuro-ophthalmologist in the entire state outside of Boston!! And as I have become employed by Columbia Presbyterian at their new clinic in Westchester County, I only work 1-1.5 days a week near Amherst. 
    You are absolutely correct, MA is in the dark ages regarding health care outside of Boston. 
    =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
    Scott Forman, MD
    Senior Fellow North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society

    Adult and Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology
    Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    Functional Medicine