Spontaneous involution of optic pathway lesions in neurofibromatosis type 1 : serial contrast MR evaluation

PURPOSE: To evaluate with contrast MR the evolution in size, signal, and contrast enhancement of optic pathway lesions in four patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. METHODS: The four reported patients are children with ages ranging from 21 months to 13 years affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 and optic pathway lesions. No treatment of the optic pathway lesions was carried out in these patients. They have been followed by serial contrast MR. RESULTS: In all patients a change in size, signal, and enhancement of optic pathways lesions was noted with time, and in the last follow-up study a marked reduction in size and enhancement of optic pathway lesions was observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Modification and regression of optic pathway lesions with spontaneous disappearance of the enhancement is demonstrated. This finding could have a crucial influence on the therapeutic approach of the optic pathway lesions.