PURPOSE: To describe treatment of a child with recalcitrant ligneous conjunctivitis secondary to a systemic plasminogen deficiency. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A seven-year-old boy developed severe unilateral membranous conjunctivitis recalcitrant to surgical debridement and treatment with topical prednisone, topical cyclosporine, and oral prednisone. Systemic evaluation revealed a severe plasminogen deficiency. RESULTS: Treatment with surgical debridement and topical plasmin was ineffective and resulted in prompt recurrence of dense conjunctival membranes. Treatment with topical plasminogen resulted in dramatic improvement and complete resolution of the membranes. CONCLUSIONS: Ligneous conjunctivitis is secondary to a systemic plasminogen deficiency. Treatment with topical plasminogen resulted in prompt resolution of the membranes. Treatment with topical plasmin was ineffective.
PURPOSE: To describe treatment of a child with recalcitrant ligneous conjunctivitis secondary to a systemic plasminogen deficiency. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A seven-year-old boy developed severe unilateral membranous conjunctivitis recalcitrant to surgical debridement and treatment with topical prednisone, topical cyclosporine, and oral prednisone. Systemic evaluation revealed a severe plasminogen deficiency. RESULTS: Treatment with surgical debridement and topical plasmin was ineffective and resulted in prompt recurrence of dense conjunctival membranes. Treatment with topical plasminogen resulted in dramatic improvement and complete resolution of the membranes. CONCLUSIONS:Ligneous conjunctivitis is secondary to a systemic plasminogen deficiency. Treatment with topical plasminogen resulted in prompt resolution of the membranes. Treatment with topical plasmin was ineffective.