This 10 year-old boy was referred by the neurologist for a retinal examination. He was on treatment for epilepsy. a. What does the fundal show? Retinal astrocytoma. The picture shows a white lesion on the retinal nerve fibre layer. This is caused by the hamartomatous proliferation of astroglia. b. What is the most likely diagnosis of the underlying condition? Tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville's syndrome). The presence of retinal astrocytoma in a patient with epilepsy strongly suggests tuberous sclerosis. The classic triad of tuberous sclerosis are: epilepsy, mental retardation and sebaceous adenoma of the face. c. How is this condition inherited? Tuberous sclerosis may be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with variable penetrance or arises as spontaneous mutation. Autosomal dominant tuberous sclerosis are of two types depending on the abnormal chromosome: type 1 : chromosome 9q33-34 type 2: chromosome 11q23 d. What other ocular condition may occur? Apart from retinal astrocytoma, the following may be seen: eyelid angiofibroma sector iris hypopigmentation retinal pigment epithelium defects e. List some of the systemic diseases seen with this condition? Skin lesion: sebaceous adenoma (these are angiofibroma composed of fibrous tissue and capillary channels) ash-leaf spots (hypopigmentation of the skin best seen with ultraviolet or Wood's light) shagreen patches (fibrous thickening) periungual fibroma Central nervous system: mental retardation epilepsy central nervous system hamartoma Renal: cysts tumours Cardiac system: rhabdomyoma