Dieter Schmidt1. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Freiburg, Germany. Dieter.Schmidt@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Abstract
PURPOSE: To call attention to a malignant course of ocular ischemic syndrome in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS/PATIENT: A 84-year-old woman developed severe headache for about 3 (1/2) months prior to myocardial infarction and visual disturbances. RESULTS: An anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) in the right eye with a distinct reduction in visual acuity was found. The retina revealed several cotton-wool spots in both eyes. Serologic examinations showed inflammatory signs. Despite treatment with prednisolone, eye pressure decreased to 2 mm Hg in the right eye and 4 mm Hg in the left eye in a few days. An ischemic iritis developed in the right eye. Visual acuity worsened to detection of hand motions in the right eye and to 0.1 in the left eye. Approximately 8 (1/2) months after her initial headache, a biopsy was carried out. The patient was treated continuously with corticosteroids. Histology of the superficial temporal artery indicated inflammatory cells in the vessel wall. - The patients daughter developed symptoms of GCA at the age of 54 years. CONCLUSION: An ocular ischemic syndrome points to a malignant course of the disease. A cardiac infarction can develop in GCA. A biopsy of the temporal artery can reveal inflammatory changes even after 8 (1/2) months.
PURPOSE: To call attention to a malignant course of ocular ischemic syndrome in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS/PATIENT: A 84-year-old woman developed severe headache for about 3 (1/2) months prior to myocardial infarction and visual disturbances. RESULTS: An anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) in the right eye with a distinct reduction in visual acuity was found. The retina revealed several cotton-wool spots in both eyes. Serologic examinations showed inflammatory signs. Despite treatment with prednisolone, eye pressure decreased to 2 mm Hg in the right eye and 4 mm Hg in the left eye in a few days. An ischemic iritis developed in the right eye. Visual acuity worsened to detection of hand motions in the right eye and to 0.1 in the left eye. Approximately 8 (1/2) months after her initial headache, a biopsy was carried out. The patient was treated continuously with corticosteroids. Histology of the superficial temporal artery indicated inflammatory cells in the vessel wall. - The patients daughter developed symptoms of GCA at the age of 54 years. CONCLUSION: An ocular ischemic syndrome points to a malignant course of the disease. A cardiac infarction can develop in GCA. A biopsy of the temporal artery can reveal inflammatory changes even after 8 (1/2) months.
Authors: Elisabeth De Smit; Eoin O'Sullivan; David A Mackey; Alex W Hewitt Journal: Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol Date: 2016-08-05 Impact factor: 3.117