Bilateral neuroretinitis associated with mumps.

BACKGROUND

Involvement of the optic nerve is a rare complication of mumps infection.

OBJECTIVES

To report a case of bilateral neuroretinitis complicating a mumps infection and to review 5 previously reported cases.

DESIGN

Case report and literature review.

SETTING

Tertiary hospital.

PATIENT

A 7-year-old girl had sudden-onset blindness due to bilateral neuroretinitis. Approximately 3 weeks prior to the initial examination, she developed a self-limited febrile illness with parotid swelling and subsequent meningoencephalitis.

RESULTS

Mumps was determined to be the underlying cause of the meningoencephalitis and bilateral optic neuritis because of the exposure history in this nonvaccinated child, the typical clinical signs and symptoms, and the positive serologic test results. Recovery of visual function was gradual but nearly complete.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should be aware that optic nerve involvement may be a manifestation of mumps infection. The delayed onset of optic neuritis, the bilateral involvement, and the near complete recovery suggest an immune-mediated pathogenesis.