Recovering optic neuritis during systemic cisplatin and carboplatin chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION

We describe bilateral optic neuropathy in a patient affected by ovarian carcinoma treated with cis-platin 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin, 640 mg/m2. The patient was followed for 1 year, when recovery appeared. The few previous descriptions of CDDP optic nerve toxicity did not report recovery.

METHODS

Computerized visual field, visual evoked potentials, pattern electroretinograms, full field flash electroretinograms were recorded during follow-up.

RESULTS

Optic neuritis appeared 13 weeks after cis-platin discontinuation, with right eye central scotoma; 2 days later the patient became bilaterally blind. Visual evoked potentials were initially absent, reappeared, with delayed latencies to left eye stimuli at 6 months, in both eyes at 9 months. At 1 year delayed VEPs were recorded with right eye stimuli, normal VEPs were recorded for left eye.

CONCLUSION

Cis-platin can induce delayed optic neuritis, that can recover in 1 year.