[Measles retinitis in an immunocompetent child].

BACKGROUND

Measles retinitis is rare in immunocompetent patients and has recently been only sporadically described. This case report reveals the clinical picture, the course of the disease and the prognosis of this entity.

HISTORY AND FINDINGS: One month after a diagnosed measles infection, a 12-year-old girl presented with a macular star and peripheral retinal oedema due to a diffuse vasculitis associated with visual impairment in both eyes. Perimetry, electroretinography, and fluorescein angiography revealed a necrotising process along the inflamed vessels.

THERAPY AND COURSE: Without therapy vision improved and the macular changes decreased. Some of the paracentral scotomata and a discrete visual acuity defect could still be detected during the follow-up examinations after 2 1/2 and 7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The early diagnosis of measles retinitis by an ophthalmologist can be of great importance because an associated encephalitis could be treated medically if recognized early enough.