Unique optical coherence tomography findings in a case of macular retinitis caused by subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

BACKGROUND

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare neurodegenerative disease. The ophthalmologic findings, typically necrotizing retinitis, often precede other neurologic signs and symptoms. Ocular findings are helpful for early diagnosis, but the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images in an active phase of retinitis have never been reported. We report unique findings of OCT images in a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

PATIENT AND

METHODS

A 13-year-old boy was referred to our hospital complaining of visual loss and other neurologic symptoms.

RESULTS

The fundus examination showed necrotizing retinitis. The OCT images showed empty spaces involving all layers of retina except the inner limiting membrane and hyperreflective lesion in inner retina. The diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was made from the blood and the spinal cerebral fluid test.

DISCUSSION: This is the first report on OCT images of necrotizing retinitis in an active stage of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis case. The unique findings of OCT images as in this case help to diagnose the rare devastating disease.