Herpes simplex virus type 1 related acute retinal necrosis following an encephalitis illness: a case report

Acute Retinal Necrosis Possibly Triggered by Contra-Lateral Penetrating Trauma

BACKGROUND

Acute retinal necrosis is a rare but devastating acute posterior uveitis caused by a member of the herpes virus family. We report an extremely rare ARN case following penetrating trauma in the contralateral eye.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old male was misdiagnosed as sympathetic ophthalmia due to a penetrating trauma history of the contralateral eye. The subsequent administration of high-dose IVMP therapy led to rapid progression of the retinal necrosis. ARN was strongly suspected base on the clinical examination and confirmed by the PCR aqueous testing. The patient finally got good visual outcomes by the effective and prompt antiviral treatment.

CONCLUSION

Ophthalmologists should be alert to the possibility that penetrating injury can trigger the activation of latent viruses. If a patient experiences visual symptoms in the contralateral eye after an open-globe injury, it is recommended that a thorough peripheral retinal examination be performed to avoid missing ARN.

Acute Retinal Necrosis: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Pitfalls, Treatment, and Outcome of an Insidious Disease in Children. Case Report and Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore clinical features, diagnostic work-up, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN), and to propose a standardized management of this condition in childhood.

METHODS

Clinical manifestations, diagnostic work-up, and treatment of three pediatric cases with ARN were analyzed. Furthermore, a review of the literature was performed from January 1990 to November 2021, focused on 1) clinical presentation; 2) differential diagnosis, including both infectious and non-infectious conditions; 3) key role of diagnostic techniques; and 4) currently available treatments.

RESULTS

Data from 72 children with ARN (69 from literature and 3 from our center) were analyzed. The most frequent presenting symptoms were red eye resistant to topical treatment (57%) and altered vision (58%), 25 patients had bilateral involvement. In 30% a known history of herpetic infection was reported. PCR testing on anterior chamber and/or vitreous sampling was performed in 46 cases (64%) and was diagnostic in 88% of them, with herpes simplex virus (HSV) 2 being the most frequently identified pathogen (57%). All patients underwent systemic antiviral therapy (16% only oral); adjunctive intravitreal injections were performed in 21% of them.

CONCLUSIONS

ARN is a rare but severe ocular infection presenting as a panuveitis with occlusive retinal vasculitis and peripheral retinal necrosis. Varicella-zoster virus and HSV 1-2 are most frequently implicated. Due to a high incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and optic atrophy, ARN has a poor prognosis with a potentially severe impact on visual function. Although a prompt recognition is crucial to prevent complications, ARN diagnosis in children is still challenging.