Giant retinal pigment epithelial tears in acute retinal necrosis

Giant retinal pigment epithelial tear following photodynamic therapy for the bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy: A case report

RATIONALE

The bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a severe form of chronic CSC. Patients with the bullous variant of CSC have an increased risk of experiencing multiple pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment for the bullous variant of CSC. RPE tear is a possible postoperative complication of PDT for eyes with PEDs. To our knowledge, no cases of giant RPE tears following PDT for the bullous variant of CSC have been reported previously. This case report presents the first instance of a giant RPE tear after half-time PDT for the bullous variant of CSC, accompanied by a series of images depicting the tear development.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 63-year-old male patient presented with rapidly deteriorating vision in his left eye over a 3-month period. He also reported a previous episode of vision loss in his right eye 2 years prior. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the left eye was 0.2.

DIAGNOSIS

The right eye was diagnosed with chronic non-bullous CSC, while the left eye was diagnosed with the bullous variant of CSC with a large PED.

INTERVENTIONS

Half-time PDT was administered to the left eye.

OUTCOMES

One month after half-time PDT, a giant RPE tear exceeding 3 clock-hours in size was confirmed in the lower temporal quadrant of the left eye. Three months after the initial half-time PDT, a second half-time PDT was performed owing to recurrent retinal detachment. Two months after the second half-time PDT, the retinal detachment resolved, and BCVA improved to 0.4, 6 months after the second half-time PDT.

LESSONS

In cases where the bullous variant of CSC is complicated by extensive PED, clinicians should consider the potential development of a giant RPE tear as a treatment complication.

RETINAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH PERIPHERAL TEAR OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM IN PACHYCHOROID SPECTRUM DISEASE

PURPOSE

To describe a rare case of an exudative retinal detachment associated with a peripheral tear of the retinal pigment epithelium in a young myopic pachychoroid eye.

METHODS

Clinical case report and literature review. Imaging was obtained with color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

A 33-year-old white man presented with an exudative choroidopathy resulting in an exudative neurosensory detachment, associated with peripheral retinal pigment epithelium tears. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography demonstrated a pachychoroid (628 μm) with subfoveal fluid. Despite a secondary pars-plana vitrectomy with silicone oil and later, Densiron-68 (Labtician Ophthalmics Inc) endotamponade, there was an area of persistent subretinal fluid inferiorly. A previously placed scleral buckle was removed, and scleral window surgery performed, with complete resolution of fluid and restoration of vision. Choroidal thickness improved to 333 μm postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral retinal pigment epithelium tear-associated retinal detachment can be seen in patients with pachychoroid spectrum disease. Scleral window surgery may be considered in the management of these retinal detachments.

Clinical manifestation of self-limiting acute retinal necrosis

Background

The purpose of this paper was to present a case series of self-limiting, peripheral acute retinal necrosis and to demonstrate efficacy of treatment with valacyclovir in patients resistant to acyclovir. The diagnosis was made on ophthalmoscopic examination and positive serum tests for herpes viruses.

Material/Methods

Ten patients (6F and 4M) aged 19–55 years were diagnosed and treated for self-limiting acute retinal necrosis (ARN). The following endpoints were reported: visual outcomes, clinical features, disease progression, treatment, and complications. Patients received only symptomatic treatment because they did not consent to vitreous puncture.

Results

Peripheral, mild retinitis was diagnosed in all eyes at baseline. Initially, all patients were treated with systemic acyclovir (800 mg, 5 times a day), prednisone (typically 40–60 mg/day), and aspirin in an outpatient setting. In 6 patients, treatment was discontinued at 6 months due to complete resolution of the inflammatory process. Four patients with immune deficiency showed signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation. Two patients did not respond to acyclovir (2 non-responders); however, those patients were successfully treated with valacyclovir. Complete resolution of inflammatory lesions was observed in 8 patients. In 2 patients, the disease progressed despite treatment – 1 female patient after kidney transplant who stopped the prescribed medications, and 1 male patient with SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome who experienced breakthrough symptoms on-treatment. He died due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Neurological complications (encephalitis and meningitis) were observed in 2 female patients. Prophylactic laser photocoagulation was performed in 1 subject.

Conclusions

A series of cases of self-limiting acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is presented. This clinical form of ARN can resemble toxoplasmic retinitis in some cases. Oral antiviral medications provide an effective alternative to intravenous formulations in patients with self-limiting ARN. Retinitis is associated with the risk of encephalitis.

High definition spectral domain optical coherence tomography of retinal pigment epithelial rip in a case of sympathetic ophthalmia

Background

We are reporting a case of granulomatous panuveitis in the right eye following penetrating injury to the left eye.

Findings

A 34-year-old female was diagnosed to have sympathetic ophthalmia on treatment with systemic steroids. Vision did not improve in spite of aggressive systemic steroid therapy. On examination, patient had large retinal pigment epithelial rip nasal to the disc with exudative retinal detachment which was documented with FFA, ICG, and OCT. RPE rip is responsible for the persistent exudative retinal detachment in the right eye.

Conclusions

RPE rip can cause decreased vision due to persistence of retinal detachment in a case of sympathetic ophthalmia.

Unilateral Acute Retinal Necrosis 2 Months After Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

A case with unilateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN) following herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis was reported. A 40-year-old man presented with unilateral visual loss. He had a history of HSV encephalitis 2 months previously, and had been successfully treated with intravenously acyclovir. The ophthalmologic examination in his left eye suggested ARN syndrome. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/222. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high density signals from the optic chiasm to optic disc. The patient underwent encircling scleral buckling, lensectomy, and vitrectomy with endolaser photocoagulation and silicone oil tamponade. Postoperatively, the high density signals on MRI decreased, the retina maintained attached, and the visual acuity at the final visit improved to 20/20. Unilateral ARN can develop after HSV encephalitis. Acyclovir should be administered over the long term to control the virus.

[Bilateral serous detachment of the neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium with rip of the peripheral pigment epithelium]

HISTORY

A 52-year-old patient with atypical plasmocytoma presented with a bilateral serous detachment of the retina as well as a huge detachment of the pigment epithelium (PE) in the periphery. Shortly thereafter the PE ruptured. In the left eye this led to substantial central macular fibrosis.

DIAGNOSIS

The clinically healthy patient showed a nephrotic syndrome; neither typical monoclonality was detectable nor was erythropoiesis or myelopoiesis reduced.

THERAPY

To avoid further reduction of VA pars plana vitrectomy (ppV) with silicone oil tamponade and laser coagulation was performed. Clinical findings were reduced significantly and VA was stabilized for 2.5 years.

DISCUSSION

PE detachments and serous retinal detachments in patients with nephrotic syndrome are only mentioned in a few cases. However, a peripheral rupture of the PE to this extent seems to be very rare. Early ppV with silicone oil and laser coagulation may prevent further macular fibrosis.

Giant pigment epithelial tear and exudative retinal detachment complicating choroidal effusions

PURPOSE

To report a case of a giant pigment epithelial tear and transient exudative retinal detachment occurring in a patient with hypotonic choroidal effusions after trabeculectomy.

METHODS

Case report and brief literature review.

RESULT

The retinal and choroidal detachments settled, disclosing an extremely large crescentic pigment epithelial defect in the temporal midperiphery.

CONCLUSIONS

An exudative retinal detachment secondary to a peripheral pigment epithelial rip may complicate choroidal effusions. Recognition of this association may prevent unnecessary investigation or surgery.