Hyaline Bodies (Drusen) of the Optic Nerve and Intracranial Tumor

Abstract

Drusen or hyaline bodies of the optic papilla may be responsible for defects in the visual fields.¹The occurrence of drusen of the optic nerve in association with an intracranial tumor, however, is extremely rare, only one such case having been reported.²For these reasons, the recognition of hyaline bodies in the presence of field defects has been said to obviate the need for further investigation of intracranial structures in some cases.³The necessity for diagnostic discretion in such instances has recently been brought to our attention by a patient harboring both hyaline bodies of the optic papillae and a proved pituitary tumor. This is the second reported case to our knowledge of concomitant drusen of the optic nerve and intracranial tumor. <h3>Report of Case</h3> This patient was seen through the courtesy of Dr. Bernard Levy. This 28-year-old white woman was admitted to Duke Hospital Jan. 18,