Infliximab optic neuritis

Neurologic events Infliximab and other agents that inhibit TNF have been associated in rare cases with optic neuritis, seizure, and new onset or exacerbation of clinical symptoms or radiographic evidence of CNS demyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis and CNS manifestations of systemic vasculitis. Exercise caution in considering the use of infliximab in patients with pre-existing or... 

Ophthalmic examination showed anterior optic neuropathy in all three patients and MRI scanning ruled out demyelinating optic neuritis. In one patient an additional infusion of infliximab produced similar symptoms in the previously unaffected eye vision failed to improve despite infliximab withdrawal and steroid treatment. 

Retrobulbar optic neuritis was diagnosed after the ninth dose of infliximab in a 55-year-old woman (14). MRI scanning showed demyelination of the left optic nerve and the visual field defect improved after treatment with prednisone. 

Foroozan R, Buono LM, Sergott RC, Savino PJ. Retrobulbar optic neuritis associated with infliximab. Arch Ophthalmol 2002 120(7) 985-7. 

Sensory systems Vision A 68-year-old man with Crohn s esophagitis developed acute bilateral visual loss due to bilateral anterior optic neuropathy during a third infusion of infliximab [47 ]. Completely reversible bilateral optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis in a patient with Crohn s disease and sacroiliitis receiving infliximab induction therapy has also been reported [48 ]. 

Felekis T, Katsanos K, Christodoulou D, Asproudis I, Tsianos EV. Reversible bilateral optic neuritis after Infliximab discontinuation in a patient with Crohn s disease. J Crohns Colitis 2009 3(3) 212-4. 

Nervous system Infliximab has been associated in rare cases with optic neuritis [116 ] and other nervous system disorders, including Guillain-Barre syndrome [117 ] and Lewis-Sumner syndrome [118" ]. 

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