Bilateral optic neuropathy with central diabetes insipidus in a child

ABSTRACT

Central nervous system germ cell tumors are rare and they occur in the first two decades of life. Optic nerve germinomas can sometimes mimic optic nerve inflammation. In this case report, we discuss an 11-year-old girl who presented with features of presumed bilateral optic neuritis and developed polyuria and polydipsia, subsequently she was diagnosed to have infiltrative etiology. Her clinical and radiological presentations were initially consistent with inflammatory optic neuropathy. Poor visual recovery to steroid therapy and progressive visual loss warranted the need for optic nerve biopsy which revealed germinoma.