Summary
Three cases of bilateral optic neuritis, one of which also had transverse myelitis, are described in young adults following chickenpox. Severe bilateral loss of vision developed in all cases and was followed by good visual recovery in the two with isolated optic neuritis, but poor recovery in the patient with concomitant transverse myelitis. The interval between the initial rash and subsequent optic neuritis suggests an immunological pathogenesis for this complication.
References
Chusid MJ, Williamson SJ, Murphy JV, Ramey LS (1979) Neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease) following varicella infection. J Pediatr 95:737–738
Cloys EE, Netsky MG (1970) Neuromyelitis optica. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 9. North Holland, Amsterdam, pp 426–438
Griffith JF, Salam MV, Adams RD (1970) The nervous system diseases associated with varicella. Acta Neurol Scand 46:270–300
Hatch HA (1949) Bilateral optic neuritis following chickenpox. J Pediatr 34:758–759
Hughes RAC, Mair WGP (1977) Acute necrotic myelopathy with pulmonary tuberculosis. Brain 100:223–238
Johnson R, Milbourne PE (1970) Central nervous system manifestation of chickenpox. Can Med Assoc J 102:831–834
Matthews WB (1985) Neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome) In: Matthews WB (ed) McAlpine's multiple sclerosis. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 151–152
McCarthy JT, Amer J (1978) Post varicella acute transverse myelitis. A case presentation and review of the literature. Pediatrics 62:202–204
McKendall RR, Klawans HL (1978) Nervous system complications of varicellas-zoster virus. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 34. North Holland, Amsterdam, pp 161–183
Meadows SP (1969) Retrobulbar and optic neuritis in childhood and adolescence. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 89:603–638
Miller HG, Stanton JB, Gibbons JL (1956) Parainfectious encephalomyelitis and related syndromes. Q J Med 25:427–505
Parkin PJ, Hierons R, McDonald WI (1984) Bilateral optic neuritis. A long term follow up. Brain 107:951–964
Selbst RG, Selhorst JB, Harbison JW, Myer EC (1983) Parainfectious optic neuritis. Report and review following varicella. Arch Neurol 40:347–350
White HW (1962) Varicella myelopathy. N Engl J Med 266:772–773
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Miller, D.H., Kay, R., Schon, F. et al. Optic neuritis following chickenpox in adults. J Neurol 233, 182–184 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314431
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314431