Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis in a Pediatric Patient With Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease and Sickle Cell Trait

A 13-year-old Black male patient with a history of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) and sickle cell trait presented with acute painless vision loss and no light perception vision (NLP) in his left eye. The examination was indicative of occlusive retinal vasculitis with near total central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). He was started on oral steroids with dramatic reperfusion and improvement of the retinal hemorrhages. However, his vision remained at NLP. Oral steroids were tapered, and rituximab infusion was initiated. While ocular involvement is uncommon in KFD, vision-limiting complications, such as occlusive retinal vasculitis, ophthalmic artery occlusion, and CRAO can occur. Early systemic immunosuppression is key in achieving rapid remission. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:235-239.].

Case of vaso-occlusive retinopathy in Kikuchi-Fujimoto and lupus overlap syndrome

A 35-year-old woman presented with a constellation of systemic symptoms: rashes, weight loss, arthralgia and mouth ulcers. Six months afterwards, she experienced bilateral and sequential reduction in vision, and was found to have bilateral vaso-occlusive retinopathy, with critical macular ischaemia in the left eye. Her serological markers were consistent with a diagnosis of lupus. A lymph node biopsy confirmed Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, a benign condition of unknown cause characterised by fever, cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Given that this overlap syndrome was associated with a number of systemic features and had affected the eyes, an immunosuppressive regime with rituximab was considered prudent. This rendered her vasculitis stable and non-progressive, and there were signs of partial retinal microvasculature recovery on optical coherence tomography angiography. There is increasing evidence of an overlap between Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and systemic lupus erythematosus, which is associated with vaso-occlusive retinopathy. In these instances, a multidisciplinary approach is warranted, with consideration of appropriate treatment in order to prevent harmful sequelae of vasculitis. Our treatment with rituximab abated the disease process, although close follow-up is paramount to monitor results and side-effects of treatment.

Bilateral preretinal hemorrhage associated with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Purpose

To present a case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) who presented with a unique pattern of retinopathy.

Observations

A 7-year-old Taiwanese girl with HIV disease who was recently diagnosed with KFD had a sudden onset of blurry vision in both eyes one month after her KFD systemic symptoms had relatively resolved. Ophthalmic examination showed decreased visual acuity in both eyes (OU). On fundus examination, she had bilateral preretinal, subhyaloid, and vitreous hemorrhage that was more severe than anemic retinopathy.

Conclusion

Ocular manifestations in Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease are rare; however, if they occur, presentations may vary. The exact etiology of the disease has remained elusive and controversial. This case is the first report of a patient with HIV disease and KFD presenting with ocular involvement. Furthermore, bilateral preretinal, subhyaloid, and vitreous hemorrhage, which was beyond anemic retinopathy, is an unprecedented manifestation of KFD that has not been previously reported. This case highlights the necessity for clinicians to consider all possible differential diagnoses when evaluating patients with similar findings to identify the best therapeutic approach and avoid unnecessary treatment.