J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Jul;47(7):1171-1176.

A Case of Cancer-Associated Retinopathy with Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Yang SM
• Oh IK
• Oh JR
• Huh K

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report a case of cancer-associated retinopathy developed in a patient with small cell lung cancer, which is a kind of paraneoplastic syndrome.
METHODS
A 78-year-old woman presented complaining of decreased visual acuity and visual field that had developed about 15 days previously. She was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 1.5 years ago and underwent 3 cycles of chemotherapy. At presentation, the best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion in both eyes and there was no afferent pupillary defect. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed no specific abnormality in the anterior segment of either eye, and intraocular pressure was normal. Posterior segment examination demonstrated remarkable arteriolar narrowing in both eyes, but there was little doubt about the presence of an optic nerve lesion such as optic disc edema or pallor.
RESULTS
Fluorescein angiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no significant abnormalities. However, electroretinograms (ERG) demonstrated marked reduction in the a and b waves. Visual evoked response was delayed for the latency period. She was treated with systemic steroid, after which her visual acuity gradually improved.

Keyword

Arteriolar narrowing; Cancer-associated retinopathy; ERG; Paraneoplastic syndrome; Small cell lung cancer

MeSH Terms

Aged
Brain
Drug Therapy
Edema
Evoked Potentials, Visual
Female
Fluorescein Angiography
Hand
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Latency Period (Psychology)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Optic Nerve
Pallor
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Ocular*
Pupil Disorders
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma*
Visual Acuity
Visual Fields