OPTIC-NERVE INVOLVEMENT IN ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA

Leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve is rare. We describe the diag nostic assessment and the outcome in two adult patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia with T phenotype. In both cases the leuk emic involvement of the eye was observed as an isolated extramedullary relapse followed after several months by hematological relapse. CT an d MRI scans were negative, while an A-scan echography of the eye clari fied the diagnosis. Early radiotherapy caused recovery of visual acuit y in one case. A-scan echography is the most sensitive investigation f or the early recognition of ocular localization in acute leukemias.