PROGRESSIVE VISUAL-LOSS - AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

Progressive visual loss as a presenting feature of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unusual. We report three cases who presented with progressive visual loss and in whom MS was diagnosed after other causes of progres sive visual loss had been excluded. Two of the three had clinical evid ence of neurological involvement outside the visual pathways, All had lesions consistent with MS outside the visual pathways on magnetic res onance imaging, Oligoclonal IgG bands were detected in the cerebrospin al fluid but not in the serum of two of the three patients. We conclud e that RIS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of progr essive visual loss; however, other more common causes of visual loss m ust first be excluded, and there must be positive evidence to support a diagnosis of MS. (C) Pearson Professional 1996