Recovering optic neuritis during systemic cisplatin and carboplatin chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION: We describe bilateral optic neuropathy in a patient affected by ovarian carcinoma treated with cis-platin 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin, 640 mg/m2. The patient was followed for 1 year, when recovery appeared. The few previous descriptions of CDDP optic nerve toxicity did not report recovery. METHODS: Computerized visual field, visual evoked potentials, pattern electroretinograms, full field flash electroretinograms were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS: Optic neuritis appeared 13 weeks after cis-platin discontinuation, with right eye central scotoma; 2 days later the patient became bilaterally blind. Visual evoked potentials were initially absent, reappeared, with delayed latencies to left eye stimuli at 6 months, in both eyes at 9 months. At 1 year delayed VEPs were recorded with right eye stimuli, normal VEPs were recorded for left eye. CONCLUSION: Cis-platin can induce delayed optic neuritis, that can recover in 1 year.