Journal of Multiple Sclerosis

Bilateral and Simultaneous Retrobulbar Optic Neuritis Revealing Multiple Sclerosis

Salem Bouomrani, Nesrine Belgacem, Fatma Rekik, Najla Lassoued, Safa Trabelsi, Hassen Baïli and Maher Béji

Optic neuritis is a common manifestation of multiple sclerosis. It occurs in two thirds of patients at some point in the course of this disease and is usually unilateral, acute and often recurrent. However, optic neuritis can be the first manifestation of this demyelinating disease in 15 to 20% of cases.

Bilateral, simultaneous and retrobulbar forms of optic neuritis inaugurating multiple sclerosis remain exceptional and unusual. They represent a real diagnostic challenge and require special attention from the clinician

Herein we report the case of bilateral simultaneous and isolated retrobulbar optic neuritis inaugurating multiple sclerosis in a 24 year old woman.