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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

02:39
Is My Mouse Pregnant? High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment
Published on: March 18, 2021
A pregnant pause
Emily S Birkholz1, Andrew G Lee, Jeffrey A Nerad
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Survey of Ophthalmology
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Rapidly progressive optic neuropathy in a pregnant patient was caused by an orbital schwannoma. This rare orbital tumor should be considered in pregnant patients experiencing vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Optic neuropathy presents a diagnostic challenge, particularly in pregnant patients.
- Neuro-ophthalmic conditions require careful evaluation due to potential risks to both mother and fetus.
Observation:
- A 23-year-old pregnant woman experienced rapidly progressive unilateral optic neuropathy.
- Standard diagnostic evaluations were complicated by the patient's pregnancy status.
Findings:
- An orbital apex lesion was identified as the cause of the visual impairment.
- The lesion was histopathologically confirmed to be an orbital schwannoma.
Implications:
- Orbital schwannomas can exhibit rapid growth, necessitating prompt diagnosis.
- This case highlights the importance of including orbital schwannomas in the differential diagnosis for pregnant patients with progressive visual loss.
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