Retinal obliterative vasculitis associated to contralateral retinal neovascularization in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep;32(5):NP20-NP23. doi: 10.1177/11206721211014384. Epub 2021 May 2.

Abstract

Purpose: To report our experience with a peculiar case of asynchronous bilateral retinal vascular occlusion in a patient suffering from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Case report: A 57-year-old dialysed male affected by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis who underwent kidney transplantation complained of a sudden vision loss in his right eye (RE). His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/40 in RE and 20/20 in the left eye (LE); ophthalmological and fluorangiographic examinations revealed unilateral retinal obliterative vasculitis with panuveitis and apparent sparing of contralateral eye. About 6 months later the patient developed a branch retinal vein occlusion associated with a papillary neovascular membrane in LE. Corticosteroid therapy was administered and immunosuppressant dosage was increased with macular oedema reduction in both events.

Conclusion: We report a case of unilateral retinal obliterative vasculitis and subsequent contralateral retinal neovascularization and branch retinal vein occlusion in a patient affected by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Keywords: Retinal obliterative vasculitis; branch retinal vein occlusion; cystoid macular oedema; membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis; retinal neovascularization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative* / complications
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative* / diagnosis
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Macular Edema* / diagnosis
  • Macular Edema* / drug therapy
  • Macular Edema* / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Neovascularization*
  • Retinal Vasculitis* / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vasculitis* / drug therapy
  • Retinal Vasculitis* / etiology
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion* / complications
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion* / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion* / drug therapy