Septo-optic dysplasia

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 21 Feb 2024

Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), also known as de Morsier syndrome, is a condition characterized by optic nerve hypoplasia and absence of the septum pellucidum and, in two-thirds of patients hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. It is best thought of as being part of the holoprosencephaly spectrum (see classification system for midline malformations).

Septo-optic dysplasia has an estimated prevalence of ~1:50,000. There is no recognized gender predilection.

A number of risk factors have been identified 8,9:

  • maternal diabetes

  • medications

    • quinidine ingestion

    • antiseizure medications

  • drug and alcohol abuse

  • cytomegalovirus infection

Clinical presentation of septo-optic dysplasia is varied and mostly dependent on whether or not it is associated with schizencephaly (~50% of cases). This association is used to define two forms of the condition 1,8:

In addition, a number of other associations are recognized including:

The abnormality develops during 4th-6th weeks of gestation, during early forebrain development. The exact etiology is unknown, with an underlying genetic defect currently accounting for <1% of cases 9.

All imaging modalities that can visualize the septum pellucidum (ultrasound, CT and MRI) will detect its absence in septo-optic dysplasia. Some additional modality dependent features may also be visible.

In addition to enlarged lateral ventricles with an absent septum pellucidum, CT may demonstrate small optic apparatus (best seen with volumetric scanning and coronal reformats) and associated small bony optic foramina.

MRI is the modality of choice for assessing septo-optic dysplasia.

  • may show a "point down" appearance of the lateral ventricular frontal horns on coronal images

  • absent septum pellucidum

  • hypoplastic pituitary stalk

  • hypoplastic optic chiasm/optic nerves and globes

The management of septo-optic dysplasia requires a multidisciplinary team to assess and treat for hormonal imbalance, loss of vision, autism and obesity 9.

Septo-optic dysplasia was first described by George de Morsier (1894-1982), Swiss neurologist in 1956 6,7.

Consider

  • lobar holoprosencephaly:

    • may not be able to be differentiated 8

    • anterior cerebral artery will have its course shifted anteriorly in lobar holoprosencephaly (sign described on prenatal ultrasound also, midline sagittal view with color Doppler)

    • optic chiasm is not expected to be hypoplastic

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