[Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, serpiginous and multifocal choroiditis: etiological and therapeutic management].

PURPOSE: To highlight the importance of an extensive medical work-up in serpiginous and multifocal choroiditis, and acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy before therapeutic management.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Records of patients referred to our department, between January 2000 and January 2002, for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of choroiditis or acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had a complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein and infrared angiographies. An extensive work-up was performed in order to exclude an infectious etiology.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were included (six cases of serpiginous choroiditis, four cases of multifocal choroiditis, and four cases of APMPPE). The mean age was 42.1 years and the sex ratio was 9: 5. Six patients presented with a history of tuberculosis in the family or with a tuberculosis primary infection. Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis was confirmed in one case by a positive PCR applied to the aqueous humor. In the serpiginous choroiditis group, two patients have been treated with antituberculous drugs, one of whom was initially resistant to immunosuppressive regimens. In the acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy group, one patient was treated with antituberculous drugs and another received antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

An infectious agent may be associated with this group of clinical presentations. All patients presenting with severe forms of ocular inflammation, who resist to corticosteroids or immunosuppressive regimens, must undergo an extensive infectious work-up in order to propose a specific treatment.