Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with ocular and cerebral vasculitis: an angiographic and radiologic study.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) associated with ocular and cerebral vasculitis.

METHODS

The authors report a 38-year-old woman who presented with bilateral uveitis 7 years after a penetrating trauma to the right eye. Ocular examination included fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. Medical history disclosed an episode of dysarthria and right-sided weakness.

RESULTS

Anterior uveitis was present in the previously injured pseudophakic right eye, which harbored a piece of glass stuck in the lower temporal iris. In the left eye, vitreal inflammation with retinal sheathing and subretinal lesions was predominant. Besides retinal vasculitis, fundus angiography showed choroidal vasculitis. Neurologic studies were compatible with cerebral vasculitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In SO, choroidal vasculitis that is invisible clinically can be demonstrated angiographically. Although rare, inflammation can also affect the nervous system.