Open AccessPurtscher-like retinopathy as a rare presentation of cryoglobulinemia
Author(s) -
Ahmed Chebil,
Rym Mammouri,
Mohamed Ben Abdallah,
L. El Matri
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
middle east african journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.357
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 0975-1599
pISSN - 0974-9233
DOI - 10.4103/0974-9233.177409
Subject(s) - cotton wool spots , medicine , fundus (uterus) , presentation (obstetrics) , retinopathy , cryoglobulinemia , dermatology , retinal , ophthalmology , hepatitis c , pathology , hepatitis c virus , surgery , immunology , diabetes mellitus , virus , endocrinology
Purtscher's retinopathy is a rare condition that is noted in cases related to various types of trauma. The characteristic finding in the fundus is the presence of multiple Purtscher flecken. Purtscher-like retinopathy has a similar presentation in the fundus but is not associated with trauma. We report the case of a 55-year-old male who presented a severe visual loss during course of a hepatitis C infection. Ophthalmic examination indicated peripapillary cotton wool spots and superficial retinal whitening in the macula. Cryoglobulinemia complicating hepatitis C was discovered in this patient. Purtscher-like retinopathy as a rare presentation of cryoglobulinemia should be considered in patients with a history of hepatitis infection.