MELANOCYTOMA OR JUXTAPAPILLARY MELANOMA?

PURPOSE: To report the case of a melanocytoma of the optic disc leading to severe vision loss, raising concern for possible malignant transformation and optic nerve infiltration.

METHODS: Case report.

RESULTS: A 36-year-old Arabic woman presented to an outside facility with severe vision loss and a clinical picture concerning for optic neuritis with central retinal vein occlusion. On referral to the authors' institution 1 month after initial presentation, the vision of the patient was no light perception in the affected eye, and examination revealed the presence of a pigmented lesion adjacent to the nerve. Although standard 3-T magnetic resonance imaging orbits suggested 15 mm of optic nerve involvement, ultrahigh resolution 7-T magnetic resonance imaging was able to detect only 2 mm of optic nerve involvement.

CONCLUSION: Melanocytoma of the optic disc is most often benign and causes few visual symptoms. However, in rare cases it can lead to severe vision loss and raise concern for malignant transformation. A 7-T magnetic resonance imaging provides higher resolution optic nerve images.