Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, progressive visual loss, and multiple-sclerosis-like symptoms.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy with multiple-sclerosis-like symptoms.

METHODS

Observational case report. A 34-year-old man was found to have Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and a mutation at position 11778 of the mitochondrial genome. The progression of vision loss and onset of weakness in the right leg warranted neuroimaging.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging documented multiple lesions in the brain and spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

Although rarely reported, progression of optic neuropathy over months has been previously documented in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. The emergence of multiple sclerosis-like symptoms and signs in our patient may be part of the spectrum of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy or a coincidental occurrence.