Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis with treatment by surgical lysis of adhesions, corticosteroids, and cyclophosphamide: report of a case

Neurosurgery. 1986 Jul;19(1):101-3. doi: 10.1227/00006123-198607000-00015.

Abstract

A 24-year-old woman presented with progressive optochiasmatic arachnoiditis causing progressively worsening visual loss associated with headache and amenorrhea. Treatment with the standard initial therapy of dexamethasone, warfarin, and dipyridamole was unsuccessful at halting her disease process. Surgical lysis of adhesions led to a temporary improvement and then deterioration. A course of therapy with cyclophosphamide was initiated and her response to this therapy resulted in resolution of her headaches, return of her vision to normal, and resumption of her normal menstrual cycles.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Arachnoiditis / drug therapy
  • Arachnoiditis / surgery*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Optic Chiasm / surgery*
  • Optic Nerve / surgery
  • Tissue Adhesions / surgery

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Cyclophosphamide