Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation
Published on: April 2, 2012
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with isolated central nervous system reactivation and optic nerve involvement
Kok Wee Chong1, Jan Hau Lee, Chew Thye Choong
1Department of Pediatric Medicine, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore. chongkokwee@gmail.com
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare childhood disorder characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of benign lymphocytes and histiocytes in multiple organs. Neurological presentations of central nervous system involvement are highly variable. The authors present a case of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an 8-month-old girl with isolated central nervous system reactivation and optic nerve involvement. She presented with fever and hepatosplenomegaly at 2 months of age. Genetic studies confirmed familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. There were no clinical features of central nervous system involvement at presentation. While on maintenance chemotherapy awaiting bone marrow transplant, she presented with new-onset seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed extensive areas of abnormal signal and a thickened and enhancing left optic nerve. Ocular manifestations of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have rarely been described. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of magnetic resonance imaging findings of optic nerve involvement in a child with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare childhood disorder characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of benign lymphocytes and histiocytes in multiple organs. Neurological presentations of central nervous system involvement are highly variable. The authors present a case of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an 8-month-old girl with isolated central nervous system reactivation and optic nerve involvement. She presented with fever and hepatosplenomegaly at 2 months of age. Genetic studies confirmed familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. There were no clinical features of central nervous system involvement at presentation. While on maintenance chemotherapy awaiting bone marrow transplant, she presented with new-onset seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed extensive areas of abnormal signal and a thickened and enhancing left optic nerve. Ocular manifestations of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have rarely been described. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of magnetic resonance imaging findings of optic nerve involvement in a child with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Related Concept Videos
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Cytomegalovirus Disease
