Korean J Med.
2010 Mar;78(3):396-402.
A case of optic nerve atrophy in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. healthyra@chosun.ac.kr
Abstract
- Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, especially the lacrimal and salivary glands. Although primarily characterized by a particular form of dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia), this condition may affect a wide variety of organs and systems, including the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and nervous and hematopoietic systems. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve and causes loss of vision, usually because of swelling and destruction of the myelin sheath that covers the optic nerve. The most common etiology is multiple sclerosis. Some other causes include infections, tumors, granuloma, autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and Sjogren's syndrome) and the inflammation of vessels (vasculitis) that nourish the optic nerve. In this report, we describe a 16-year-old girl with optic nerve atrophy caused by optic neuritis, which can be a presenting feature of Sjogren's syndrome.
