The value of visual evoked potential as a screening test in neurofibromatosis
B. Jabbari, C. G. Maitland, L. M. Morris, J. Morales and C. H. Gunderson
Pattern reversal visual evoked potential (VEP) test was performed in 30
asymptomatic patients with neurofibromatosis (NF). All patients had normal
visual acuity, visual fields, and ophthalmoscopic examination results.
Pattern reversal VEP was abnormal in eight patients (26%). Seven of these
patients had computed tomographic scans with reformated orbital views.
Orbital computed tomographic scans were abnormal in six patients and in
each case showed enlargement of the optic nerve on the side of VEP
abnormality. Our data indicate that pattern reversal VEP is a valuable
screening test in asymptomatic patients with NF. Because of the high
incidence of VEP abnormality in such patients, VEP abnormality must be
interpreted cautiously when a patient with NF is suspected of having other
diseases or disorders that potentially affect the visual pathways.
