Monitoring of optic nerve function in Neurofibromatosis 2 children with optic nerve sheath meningiomas using multifocal visual evoked potentials

V. Jayanetti*, A. I. Klistorner, S. L. Graham, M. Dexter, M. P. Flaherty, K. Jones, F. A. Billson, M. Wilson, K. North, J. R. Grigg, C. L. Fraser

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Monitoring optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSM) in Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients remains difficult. Other ocular manifestations of NF2 may obscure ophthalmic assessment of optic nerve function in these patients. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to assess the optic nerve is not without limitations, being expensive and often requiring general anaesthetic in children, with associated risks. This study was undertaken to describe the use of multifocal visual evoked potentials (multifocal VEP, mfVEP) in the regular monitoring of NF2 patients with ONSM. This study involved three NF2 patients with ONSM who undertook mfVEP testing at an academic ophthalmic centre. Same day mfVEP and routine ophthalmic testing were undertaken. Topographical function of the optic nerve was assessed, utilising tools such as asymmetry deviation and accumap severity index. Results were assessed alongside MRI and visual acuity (VA). From the three patients, five eyes had ONSMs, of which two caused unilateral blindness. The remaining three affected eyes had initial VAs 6/6, 6/24, and 6/18. Over follow up, ranging from 5 to 12 years, all tumours progressed, and VA declined for all patients. Multifocal VEP detected optic nerve functional loss corresponding with visual decline. This case series suggests mfVEP is effective in the objective topographic monitoring of optic nerve function in NF2 patients with ONSM. Due also to its safety in a paediatric population, the test may be considered in the routine monitoring of these patients, to be used to assist regular ophthalmic review and MRI scans.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)262-267
    Number of pages6
    JournalJournal of Clinical Neuroscience
    Volume50
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2018

    Keywords

    • neurofibromatosis type 2
    • optic nerve sheath meningoma
    • visual evoked potentials

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