Cryoglobulinemia associated with Purtscher-like retinopathy.

Myers, J P; Di Bisceglie, A M; Mann, E S · Am J Ophthalmol · 2001

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

To report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy in a young man with chronic hepatitis C--associated cryoglobulinemia. Case report. A 44-year-old Caucasian man with chronic hepatitis C developed sudden loss of vision in the left eye and abdominal pain. Ocular fundus examination revealed peripapillary cotton-wool spots and superficial retinal whitening in the macula. Systemic evaluation revealed markedly elevated rheumatoid factor, hypertension, and acute renal insufficiency. A renal biopsy demonstrated intravascular deposition of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM and complement consistent with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia. Clinicians should consider cryoglobulinemia in the differential diagnosis of a patient with Purtscher-like retinopathy and history of infection with hepatitis C.

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