Wayne R Lo1, Geoffrey Broocker, Hans E Grossniklaus. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, and Emory Eye Center, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival tophi in a 59-year-old woman with gouty arthritis. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman with a 25-year history of severe gouty arthritis presented with bilateral chalky white conjunctival deposits. Conjunctival biopsies were obtained, and light and electron microscopy studies were performed. RESULTS: Light microscopy confirmed multiple gouty tophi. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystalline deposits within histiocytes. Extracellular aggregates of the crystalline deposits were enclosed by membranous material. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival crystals may aid in identifying undiagnosed patients. In addition to conjunctival tophi, patients may also have uveitis, corneal crystals, and band keratopathy.
PURPOSE: To report a case of conjunctival tophi in a 59-year-old woman with gouty arthritis. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 59-year-old woman with a 25-year history of severe gouty arthritis presented with bilateral chalky white conjunctival deposits. Conjunctival biopsies were obtained, and light and electron microscopy studies were performed. RESULTS: Light microscopy confirmed multiple gouty tophi. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic crystalline deposits within histiocytes. Extracellular aggregates of the crystalline deposits were enclosed by membranous material. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival crystals may aid in identifying undiagnosed patients. In addition to conjunctival tophi, patients may also have uveitis, corneal crystals, and band keratopathy.
Authors: Ruchi Shah; Cynthia Amador; Kati Tormanen; Sean Ghiam; Mehrnoosh Saghizadeh; Vaithi Arumugaswami; Ashok Kumar; Andrei A Kramerov; Alexander V Ljubimov Journal: Exp Eye Res Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 3.467