A Rare Complication of Toxoplasmosis: Retinal Neovascularisation



Kianersi F¹ ; Naderibeni A¹ ; Sadri S¹ ; Tavakoli M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: American Journal of Case Reports Published:2008

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis is based most often on the presence of characteristic clinical findings include focal retinochoroiditis, an adjacent or nearby retinochoroidal scar, and moderate to severe vitreous inflammation. However, a variety of less common, atypical presentations may be unfamiliar to clinicians, delaying both diagnosis and treatment. Other unusual manifestations include punctate outer retinal toxoplasmosis, retinal vasculitis, retinal vascular occlusions, rhegmatogenous and serous retinal detachments, a unilateral pigmentary retinopathy mimicking retinitis pigmentosa, neuroretinitis and other forms of optic neuropathy, and scleritis.we report branch retinal vein occlusion and retinal neovascularization due to toxoplasmosis. Case Report: A 30-year-old female presented with sudden painless loss of vision in the right eye. Examination demonstrated a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200, vitreous hemorrhages due to retinal neovascularization and old chorioretinal scar of toxoplasmosis. Panretinal photocuagulatin of involved retina was done.1 year later, white infiltration adjacent of the old scar was apparented, and the patient was treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, and prednisone. Six weeks after initiating therapy, best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 20/60. Conclusions: Retinal neovascularization due to branch retinal vein occlusion in toxoplasmosis is uncommon and, the current case demonstrates the importance of including toxoplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of unilateral vitreous hemorrahage.