Bilateral lateral geniculitis associated with severe diarrhea

Am J Ophthalmol. 1996 Aug;122(2):280-1. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)72030-6.

Abstract

Purpose: We examined a 28-year-old woman who developed incongruous binasal and bitemporal visual field defects one week after having a febrile gastroenteritis characterized by severe diarrhea while traveling in Mexico.

Methods: The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone sodium succinate, 1 g daily for three days, followed by an eight-week course of oral prednisone.

Results: Neuroradiologic examination demonstrated bilaterally increased signal intensity within the lateral geniculate bodies. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis disclosed isolated protein increase.

Conclusion: Severe diarrhea may be associated with an aseptic bilateral lateral geniculitis resulting in hourglass-shaped visual fields. Corticosteroid therapy may provide mild improvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diarrhea / complications*
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis / etiology*
  • Female
  • Fever
  • Geniculate Bodies* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / therapeutic use
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Travel
  • Vision Disorders / etiology
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate
  • Prednisolone