Optic Nerve Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Abstract

In this article, we report a rare case of an optic nerve metastasis secondary to lung adenocarcinoma. The ocular manifestation was the first clinical sign of the disease, and further investigation led to the diagnosis of the underlying malignancy. A 59-year-old woman presented with progressive blurring of vision in the right eye for the past month. She had been having headaches for the past two weeks and left upper limb weakness for one day. She also had loss of appetite and weight for the past few months. She looked lethargic. On presentation, her bilateral eye vision was 6/18. Both anterior segments were unremarkable. Fundoscopy showed a normal optic disc in both eyes. A nervous system examination showed mild motor sensory impairment over the left upper and lower limbs and also impairment of cranial nerves V and VII. Brain computed tomography was conducted and revealed soft tissue lesions at the lateral aspect of the optic nerve and multiple recent cerebral infarcts. Brain and orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed a metastasis intraconal lesion at the right intraorbital segment of the optic nerve. CT thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were done. The finding revealed carcinoma of the left lung with distant metastasis. The patient’s general condition deteriorated in less than two weeks. The family refused further intervention. The patient died three months after the initial presentation.