Optic pathway glioma

The first step in treating your child is forming an accurate and complete diagnosis. Diagnostic procedures may include:

• examination and visual testing—An ophthalmologist (vision specialist) examines your child and conduct comprehensive testing of his eyesight. This information is used in conjunction with MRI findings to make an accurate diagnosis.
• computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan)—a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays. For optic pathway glioma, a CT scan of the brain is usually done.

If your child has NF1, we follow his vision very carefully. If it starts to worsen, we’ll perform an MRI scan to confirm that it’s an optic pathway glioma, and then determine the treatment.

After we complete all necessary tests, our experts meet to review and discuss what they have learned about your child's condition. Then we will meet with you and your family to discuss the results and outline the best treatment options.