Involvement of posterior visual pathways by optic nerve gliomas

We describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings in seven children with optic nerve gliomas extending posterior to the chiasm. These tumors spread along the optic tracts and in five of seven cases, involved the lateral geniculate bodies and adjacent optic radiations. The propensity for these tumors to extend along both the anterior and posterior visual pathways aids in their diagnosis. An MR scan was obtained in one patient and identified an unexpected site of tumor extension as well as the mass seen by CT.