Astrocytic hamartoma of the optic disc
 

There is a sharply demarcated lesion arising from the optic disc.  The surface is irregular, glistening and has a yellow colour  (the appearance has been described as resembling mulberry). Look for: signs of tuberous sclerosis such as sebaceous adenoma, ashlead  lesion, shagreen patches or periungual fibroma less commonly astrocytoma is seen in neurofibromatosis

Questions:

1. What is the component of astrocytic hamartoma?

Answer
It is made up of  retina nerve fibre and undifferentiated glial tissue.

2. What is the incidence of astrocystic hamartoma in tuberous sclerosis?

Answer
It is found in 1/3 to 1/2 of cases of tuberous sclerosis.

3. Is optic disc astrocytoma pathognomonic of tuberous sclerosis?

Answer
No. It is found in neurofibromatosis and also in normal patients.

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Sebaceous adenoma of the face in a patient with  tuberous sclerosis Return to the top