Central retinal vein occlusion and renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract

To document a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) associated with renal cell carcinoma and elevated levels of anticardiolipin and antiphospholipid antibodies. Observational case report. History, clinical examination, chart review, and laboratory serologies were performed on a 63-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma with a 6-week history of decreased vision in his left eye. Vision was 20/40 in the left eye. Dilated fundus examination revealed a CRVO. Laboratory serologies revealed markedly elevated levels of anticardiolipin and antiphospholipid antibodies. This case illustrates an association between CRVO and renal cell carcinoma. A paraneoplastic process, consisting of both antiphospholipid and anticardiolipin antibodies, may be a mechanism for CRVO.