[The clinical picture and diagnosis of optic nerve gliomas in adults].

Gliomas of the optic nerve are more often in childhood and adolescence. The present paper analyzes the clinical features and diagnosis of optic nerve gliomas in 41 adult patients aged 15 to 56. Comparative analysis of the clinical picture and diagnostic specificities in optic nerve gliomas in adults and children has revealed a longer duration of the disease, less manifest exophthalmos and dilatation of the optic canal on the side of the tumor in adults. Analysis of computerized tomography data has prompted singling out 2 types of optic nerve glioma images: (1) spindle-shaped dilatation of the optic nerve in the orbit and (2) even thickening of the optic nerve along its whole length in the orbit. Each of these glioma tomographic images is associated with specific clinical features. Differential diagnosis between optic nerve gliomas and meningiomas in adults in described.