Giant nodular posterior scleritis compatible with ocular sarcoidosis simulating choroidal melanoma

CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old man was referred to our ocular oncology service with a diagnosis of amelanotic choroidal melanoma of the left eye. The following tests were performed: ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of giant nodular posterior scleritis, as suggested by ultrasonography, was confirmed by biopsy. A comprehensive medical evaluation was performed, but no etiology was found. The histology revealed a granuloma compatible with ocular sarcoidosis. A rapid response was obtained by systemic steroid administration (1 mg/kg). Sarcoidosis continues to be a challenge in diagnosis. It is important to distinguish nodular posterior scleritis from choroidal melanoma.     

A case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal malignancy

To report a case of giant nodular posterior scleritis mimicking a choroidal tumor. A 42-year-old lady with systemic hypertension presented with a 1-week history of unilateral visual loss, pain and redness in her left eye. Examination showed sectoral anterior episcleritis in her left eye as well as a dome-shaped choroidal mass at the inferior-temporal periphery, associated with retinal hemorrhages and subretinal fluid. Systemic evaluation and imaging of the choroidal mass were performed and could not rule out amelanotic choroidal melanoma. At the same time, she was prescribed a 2-week course of oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for her sectoral anterior episcleritis. The choroidal mass was found to have resolved completely right before her scheduled fine needle biospy. Diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis and a trial of oral NSAID can be considered in patients presenting with a choroidal mass before any invasive procedure.     

后巩膜炎眼科影像学特征

目的：分析总结描述后巩膜炎的眼科影像学特征。 方法：在我院2008-10/2013-06期间确诊的后巩膜炎患者16例21眼的临床资料进行回顾性分析,分析B超、眼底彩色照相、眼底荧光血管造影、CT结果,对后巩膜炎眼科影像学特征进行综合评价与分析。 结果：所有患者均行B超检查,B超表现分为弥漫型和结节型两种,弥漫型表现为巩膜弥漫增厚,其后有筋膜囊水肿性低回声暗区与视神经相连,形成典型的“T”形征;结节型表现为巩膜结节型回声增强,内部结构较规则。 FFA表现为动脉早期见斑驳状相对弱荧光,动静脉期出现多发针尖样强荧光,逐渐变大融合;晚期荧光素渗漏至视网膜下组织;视盘有不同程度的强荧光,边界欠清或不清。 CT结果表现为眼球球壁增厚。 结论：后巩膜炎好发于中青年女性患者,其眼科影像学的表现多变,以B超表现较有特异性;选择合理的眼科影像学检查手段,并结合临床表现,能够准确诊断后巩膜炎,避免漏诊和误诊现象的发生。     

Giant nodular posterior scleritis simulating choroidal melanoma

A 45-year-old woman, complaining of sudden visual loss in the right eye (best-corrected visual acuity: 17/200), was suspected of having a malignant melanoma of the choroid. Fundus examination revealed a massive pale-colored subretinal mass temporal to the fovea, with adjoining choroidal folds and exudative retinal detachment. Ultrasonography was suggestive of posterior scleritis. Systemic evaluation was unremarkable. The patient was treated with high-dose systemic corticosteroids. The mass lesion resolved completely, with visual recovery to 20/20. Posterior scleritis should be suspected when evaluating subretinal mass-lesions, even when large and without overt inflammation. Early treatment may improve the visual prognosis and avoid misdirected management, including enucleation.     

A case of posterior scleritis associated with extensive retinochoroidal atrophy

BACKGROUND: Posterior scleritis is known to exhibit various changes in the ocular fundus, but retinochoroidal atrophy is a rare complication. CASE: A 54-year-old man presented with the complaint of blurred vision in the right eye. The patient had visited our clinic twice before, 22 and 11 years earlier. Although his funduscopic findings had demonstrated choroidal detachment in both eyes, the cause could not be determined at that time. FINDINGS: His visual acuity was 20/200, OD and 20/100, OS. Funduscopic examination showed annual choroidal detachments and geographic retinochoroidal atrophy in the posterior pole OU, and serous retinal detachment OD. B-scan ultrasonograpy revealed diffuse thickening and flattening of the posterior coats of the eye, and orbital enhanced computed tomography revealed thickening and enhancement of the posterior sclera. A diagnosis of posterior scleritis was made. Prednisolone 80 mg/ day was initiated and gradually tapered. Nine months later choroidal and serous retinal detachment were resolved. CONCLUSION: We encountered a rare case of posterior scleritis with associated extensive retinochoroidal atrophy. We speculated that the cause was inflammation of the retina and choroid, and accumulation of subretinal fluid for a long period.     

后巩膜炎22例临床分析

目的 探讨后巩膜炎的临床表现、荧光素眼底血管造影特征、B型超声扫描检查、CT检查结果、治疗效果及视力预后.方法 自2002年8月至2007年7月间,收治的后巩膜炎患者22例22只眼,观察其临床表现、影像学检查结果、实验室检查结果、治疗效果及其预后.结果 22例患者中,男性5例,女性17例,平均年龄32.4岁.荧光素眼底血管造影显示静脉早期多发性斑点状荧光素渗漏,后期荧光素进入视网膜下组织;B型超声扫描检查和CT检查均可见巩膜呈弥漫性或结节性增厚及神经增粗.所有患者对糖皮质激素和非甾体抗炎剂治疗敏感,治疗后所有患者眼底病变消失,矫正视力恢复,未见严重并发症和视力下降病例.结论 后巩膜炎是一种少见的巩膜炎症,以女性多见,细致的临床检查和影像学检查可减少漏诊或误诊,及时有效地治疗可以控制病情发展.     

Bilateral atypical nodular posterior scleritis

PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular features of nodular posterior scleritis simulating choroidal melanoma. METHODS: A 60-year old woman presented with blurred vision in her right eye of two weeks duration. On examination she had a mild right-globe proptosis with an episcleral nodular mass as well as a large elevated nonpigmented choroidal mass involving the nasal quadrant. RESULTS: A and B-scan ultrasonography showed a medium to high-reflective solid choroidal mass. MRI demonstrated a bi-convex mass in the medial aspect of the right globe with signal characteristics compatible with choroidal melanoma. Biopsy of the extraocular lesion demonstrated chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate suggestive of posterior scleritis. She responded to corticosteroid therapy. On evaluation 41 months later she was noted to have a similar choroidal mass in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: The physician should be aware of the clinical manifestations and diagnostic hall marks of nodular posterior scleritis in order to differentiate this inflammatory process from choroidal melanoma.     

Choroidal observations in posterior scleritis using high-penetration optical coherence tomography

To investigate the choroidal morphologic changes in two patients with posterior scleritis. We used high-penetration optical coherence tomography (HP-OCT) in vivo with a long-wavelength light source (1,060 nm) to view the choroidal changes. In patient 1 with unilateral scleritis, the subfoveal choroidal thickness of the right eye was 418 μm with a serous retinal detachment (SRD) at the initial visit. The treatment regimen was prednisolone 30 mg/day, and the posterior scleritis resolved. Follow-up HP-OCT showed the following choroidal thicknesses—266 μm on day 27 with no SRD, 245 μm on day 69, and 200 μm on day 216. In patient 2 with bilateral scleritis, the subfoveal choroidal thickness of the left eye was 279 μm at the initial visit. The inflammation was more severe in the left eye compared to the right eye on day 99. The choroidal thickness again increased markedly with recurrent disease in the left eye despite treatment. The posterior scleritis resolved with treatment. Follow-up HP-OCT showed the following choroidal thicknesses of the left eye—321 μm on day 99, 257 μm on day 176, and 228 μm on day 358. Significant choroidal changes underlie posterior scleritis. HP-OCT can show these deep choroidal pathologies in patients with posterior uveitis. The choroidal thickness recovers following treatment.     

Posterior scleritis: clinical profile and imaging characteristics

Posterior scleritis is relatively uncommon and is often misdiagnosed due to its protean manifestations. We report eight cases of posterior scleritis to analyse the clinical profile, ultrasonographic and computed tomography (CT) scan features of this rare disorder. Fundus findings included serous retinal detachment, choroidal folds, retinal folds, subretinal mass, choroidal detachment, disc edema, and macular edema. There was associated anterior scleritis and anterior uveitis in the majority of the cases. In all cases ultrasound with or without CT scan confirmed the clinical diagnosis. All patients responded to systemic steroids except one who required immunosuppressive therapy. This paper describes the clinical profile of a series of posterior scleritis cases highlighting varied clinical presentation, and the role of ultrasound and CT scan findings in the diagnosis.     

Adjunctive globe magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of posterior scleritis

Objective

To report 4 cases of posterior scleritis with unusually unremarkable ultrasonography findings in which diagnosis was based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination.

Design

Retrospective noncomparative case series.

Participants

Four patients.

Methods

Patients suffering from suspected posterior scleritis and previously misdiagnosed with a range of conditions after an unremarkable B-scan ultrasonography. A new and thorough review of systems, including MRI examination of the eye/orbit, was carried out.

Results

All included patients were diagnosed with posterior scleritis based on MRI findings. Systemic treatment with immunosuppressors (2 patients), antibiotics (1 patient), or no treatment (1 patient) got their inflammatory condition under control.

Conclusions

MRI may play a potential role in the diagnosis of posterior scleritis particularly in those clinically suspicious cases with nondefinitive ultrasonography. Further studies on this matter are warranted.     

Long-term follow-up of giant nodular posterior scleritis simulating choroidal melanoma

A 41-year-old asymptomatic woman was referred for enucleation of a 7. 5-mm-thick intraocular tumor suspected to be choroidal melanoma. The clinical findings combined with imaging studies suggested instead a diagnosis of giant nodular posterior scleritis. A scleral biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis. After 12 years of observation, the lesion has remained stable and visual acuity has been preserved. Nodular posterior scleritis can present with no symptoms of pain, redness, or visual disturbance and can remain quiet for many years. It must be clinically differentiated from choroidal melanoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:1290-1292     

Choroidal osteoma with CNVM – Successful treatment with intravitreal Bevacizumab

Twenty-seven years old healthy woman presented with complaints of sudden painless blurred vision in right eye for 1 week. On examination, visual acuity was 20/30 in the right eye and 20/20 in left eye. Fundus examination OS was normal; OD demonstrated a flat, opaque, yellowish parapapillary choroidal lesion with grayish membrane associated with minimal subretinal fluid suggestive of a CNVM in the center. B-scan ultrasonography revealed findings consistent with a choroidal osteoma. Fundus fluorescein angiography of the right eye revealed a relatively well-defined area of hyperfluorescence that increased in size and intensity in the later phases suggestive of active extrafoveal CNVM. Optical coherence tomography confirmed the extrafoveal CNVM with subfoveal fluid. She was treated with intravitreal Bevacizumab OD. At the 2 weeks visit, vision OD improved to 20/20. The FFA and OCT revealed a resolved CNVM. Intravitreal Bevacizumab may be an effective alternative in the management of CNVM secondary to choroidal osteoma.     

Tuberculosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this report is to present an update on the manifestations and management of ocular tuberculosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Tuberculosis affects one-third of the world's population. The incidence of tuberculosis has increased with the increase in the HIV infected population. Following a resurgence of the disease in the US, the incidence has recently declined. Patients may develop scleritis that can be focal, nodular or diffuse with or without keratitis. Anterior granulomatous uveitis may occur. The posterior segment reveals vitritis, choroiditis, and can mimic serpiginous choroiditis and other entities. Patients who are immunosuppressed or HIV infected may develop active mycobacterial disease in the eye leading to rapid destruction of the ocular structures. The diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis is made by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on L?westein-Jensen medium or by PCR. The diagnosis is supported by the clinical findings, imaging techniques including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green and ultrasonography. Tuberculin skin test helps to confirm the diagnosis. SUMMARY: Ocular tuberculosis may occur in the absence of pulmonary disease. Patients present with a spectrum of clinical signs. The disease may mimic several clinical entities. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of ocular tuberculosis may prevent ocular morbidity and blindness.     

Posterior scleritis simulating acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy

INTRODUCTION: Posterior scleritis is a rare but probably underdiagnosed process. The lesions may cause diagnostic confusion with other diseases such as intraocular tumors and orbital or cerebral involvement. In the case presented, posterior scleritis simulated acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old woman presented with a history of pain and eye redness with lid swelling in the left eye followed by visual deterioration. On fundus examination, there was disc and macular edema with multiple grayish-white placoid and deep chorioretinal lesions in the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography was compatible with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, but the inflammatory context was unusual in this disorder. An orbital computed tomographic scan and b-scan ultrasonography showed posterior scleral thickening and the diagnosis of posterior scleritis was made. Etiological investigations were negative. A pulse of corticosteroids was started and the patient's symptoms and signs improved on clinical and angiographic examination. DISCUSSION: Posterior scleritis may present with a range of clinical findings. Its clinical features may simulate many other diagnoses such as acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy. Management is different in each situation: abstention in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy and a high dose of corticosteroids or even immunosuppressive therapy in posterior scleritis. CONCLUSION: This report shows that posterior scleritis must be evoked in patients with unilateral fundus appearance of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy associated with an inflammatory context. Ultrasonography or MRI must be carried out.     

A patient with sarcoidosis diagnosed by a biopsy of scleral nodules

Purpose To report the case of a patient with nodular scleritis who was diagnosed as having sarcoidosis by a biopsy of scleral nodules.Methods Case report.Results A 26-year-old man with nodular scleritis underwent a biopsy of scleral nodules. The year before, he had been diagnosed with granulomatous iridocyclitis of the right eye. Although sarcoidosis had been suspected, extensive systemic examinations resulted in no positive findings of sarcoidosis. Histopathological specimens revealed non-caseating epithelioid granuloma with giant cells. The nodular scleritis was resolved by topical corticosteroids.Conclusions A scleral biopsy is useful for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis when the patient has nodular scleritis with no systemic signs.     

Multifocal nodular episcleritis and scleritis with undiagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma

PURPOSE: To report the case of a patient with undiagnosed Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented with coexistent unilateral nodular episcleritis and scleritis. DESIGN: Interventional case report and literature review METHODS: Review of clinical history, laboratory findings, histology of episcleral and cervical lymph node biopsies, and follow-up. RESULTS: A 20-year-old female presented with a 5-month history of redness and pain in her left eye, with associated symptoms of dyspnea, malaise, and fever. The patient was found to have multifocal nodular episcleritis and scleritis that was not responsive to topical steroids or systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment. Laboratory tests subsequently revealed evidence of systemic inflammation, and radiologic studies showed extensive mediastinal and cervical adenopathy. A cervical lymph node biopsy showed Reed-Sternberg cells and a chronic lymphocytic infiltrate consistent with nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's lymphoma. Histopathologic analysis of an episcleral nodule revealed a necrotizing granuloma with vasculitis. Systemic chemotherapy was instituted for the Hodgkin's disease; this therapy abolished the nodular scleritis. CONCLUSIONS: This case raises the possibility of concurrent undiagnosed systemic vasculitis with only an ocular manifestation with Hodgkin's lymphoma, either as a coincidence or as a paraneoplastic syndrome. Moreover, it emphasizes the important role of tissue biopsy in establishing diagnosis and directing treatment.     

30例非感染性后巩膜炎临床特征分析

目的总结非感染性后巩膜炎的临床特征,以期为临床上准确诊断、合理治疗提供依据。方法回顾性系列病例研究。收集2007年1月至2016年10月在中山大学中山眼科中心和温州医科大学附属第二医院就诊,经各项检查确诊为非感染性后巩膜炎的患者30例（40眼）,年龄（35.2±14.3）岁。所有病例都进行既往史回顾和病史分析,收集入选病例相关临床资料,包括最佳矫正视力（BCVA）、眼压、眼部常规检查和辅助检查等,并进行临床分析。结果10例双眼发病,33眼（83%）以眼痛伴视力下降为主诉就诊。就诊时10眼（25%）视力下降到0.1以下,13眼（32%）视力在0.1~0.6之间,17眼（43%）视力在0.6~1.2之间。眼压为（13.2±4.4）mmHg。在眼前段,22眼（55%）伴发前段巩膜炎,18眼（45%）有前葡萄膜炎症状;在眼后段,22眼（55%）发生视盘水肿,21眼（53%）存在视网膜静脉扩张,13眼（33%）黄斑部隆起脱离。另外发现渗出性视网膜脱离7眼（18%）,黄斑部星芒样渗出3眼（8%）,脉络膜脱离3眼（8%）,视网膜/脉络膜皱褶2眼（5%）,视网膜中央静脉阻塞3眼（8%）。所有患者眼部B超检查发现球壁弥漫性增厚,眼球壁后可见环形低回声,共同形成典型的"T"形征,球壁厚度为（2.21±0.85）mm。结论非感染性后巩膜炎临床表现多样,眼底可以有视盘水肿、静脉扩张、黄斑部渗出、黄斑部脱离隆起等体征,B超检查是后巩膜炎最特异性检查方法,可用于明确诊断。     

Optic nerve head problem

A 68-year-old woman with a recent history of blurring in the left eye had undergone mastectomy for breast cancer 20 years ago. A series of bone metastases started 5 years after her diagnosis. Examination of the optic nerve head of the left eye revealed an isolated peripapillary mass. Indocyanine green angiography displayed vessels within the mass, and fluorescein angiography demonstrated hyperfluorescence of the mass from vascular leakage plus lobular spots of blocked fluorescence. B-scan ultrasound revealed a hyperechoic-elevated nodular mass on the optic disc. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography displayed a mass of spherules. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated metastatic tumors. She was diagnosed with an optic disk metastasis from her breast carcinoma.     

Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy for early resolution of foveal subretinal fluid in choroidal metastasis

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in the early resolution of subretinal fluid at the fovea in solitary choroidal metastasis. METHODS:: Three consecutive patients who had adenocarcinoma of the lung with choroidal metastasis and macular subretinal fluid were treated by subthreshold TTT. Tumor response and fluorescein angiographic and visual results were recorded. RESULTS: Fluorescein angiography revealed solitary choroidal metastasis at the posterior pole with subretinal fluid in all patients. Initial best-corrected visual acuity in Patient 1, a 57-year-old man, was 40/200. Instead of usual high laser intensity, three applications of TTT, 400-mW power, 3-mm size, and 1-minute duration, were performed over the tumor mass. Repeated treatment with the same regimen was performed after 1 week. Visual acuity improved to 20/25 2 months after treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity in Patient 2, a 68-year-old woman, was 10/200 in the right eye before treatment. Visual acuity improved to 80/200 after treatment and remained stable for 14 months. Visual acuity improved from 20/100 to 20/60 in a third patient 2 months after treatment. The disappearance of subretinal fluid over the fovea was noted by fluorescein angiography 2 months after laser treatment and remained stable until the end of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Improvement of visual acuity and cessation of fluorescein leakage in the tumor showed that subthreshold (i.e., biomicroscopically invisible laser effect) TTT served as an effective treatment modality in the early resolution of macular subretinal fluid in choroidal metastasis. Multiple sessions of subthreshold TTT are safe to apply very close to the macula.     

Ocular Nocardiosis: A Case Report

Purpose: To describe the challenging diagnosis of ocular nocardiosis in a patient with anaplastic astrocytoma

Methods: A 56-year-old patient with recurrent cerebral anaplastic astrocytoma and a history of surgical resection, who underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, presented with a unilateral white subretinal mass at the posterior pole of his left eye. Vitrectomy and fine-needle biopsy of the vitreous as well as the subretinal mass were performed.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging verified progression of the lesion’s size at follow-up. Histopathological workup of the material revealed gram-positive filamentous bacteria consistent with Nocardia cyriacigeorgica.

Conclusion: Endogenous Nocardia should be suspected in case of choroidal abscess in immunocompromised patients. Clinical diagnosis is challenging; therefore, early subretinal biopsy should be considered to facilitate treatment decision.