Carcinoma-associated retinopathy-an electrophysiological and immunohistochemical correlation.

Abstract

To correlate the clinical, electrophysiological, and immunohistochemical findings in patients suffering from carcinoma-associated retinopathy. Four patients with visual loss were included in this retrospective, observational consecutive case series. Electrophysiology and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to confirm the diagnosis of carcinoma-associated retinopathy. Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked interindividual variability of antibody reactions against different retinal cell layers of individual patients. The electrophysiological changes corresponded to the respective immunohistochemical findings. Carcinoma-associated retinopathy is a heterogeneous disease, caused by different antiretinal antibodies and leading to different electrophysiological abnormalities. Diagnosis should not be delayed as undetected and thus untreated malignancy can be the cause.