Primary sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma presenting with bilateral retrobulbar optic neuropathy

J Neuroophthalmol. 2007 Sep;27(3):189-92. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0b013e31814b1a7b.

Abstract

A 43-year-old man presented with acute bilateral visual loss. Ophthalmologic examination revealed no light perception in the right eye and a visual acuity of 20/50 in the left eye with a right afferent pupillary defect. Ophthalmoscopic examination was normal. Brain MRI showed an intracranial but extra-axial mass in the floor of the anterior cranial fossa extending along the olfactory groove and into the sinonasal vault. Endoscopic biopsy showed a high-grade neoplasm consistent with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. This case report highlights an unusual clinical presentation for this rare and aggressive neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma / complications*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / physiopathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / pathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / physiopathology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nasal Cavity / pathology
  • Nasal Cavity / physiopathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Optic Nerve / pathology
  • Optic Nerve / physiopathology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / pathology
  • Optic Nerve Diseases / physiopathology
  • Orbit / pathology
  • Orbit / physiopathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / complications*
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinuses / physiopathology
  • Radiotherapy
  • Treatment Failure
  • Vision, Low / etiology*
  • Vision, Low / pathology
  • Vision, Low / physiopathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor