title: Acute frosted retinal periphlebitis.
abstract: We examined three previously healthy young patients who suffered acute visual loss associated with diffuse bilateral retinal periphlebitis. Each patient developed thick, inflammatory infiltrates surrounding all of the retinal veins, creating the appearance of frosted tree branches. Initial visual acuities ranged from 20/20 to hand motions (median, counting fingers). All patients showed rapid improvement after starting oral corticosteroid therapy, and all but one of the six affected eyes regained a visual acuity of 20/20. The clinical appearance and course of these patients matched those of a condition previously described in Japan and labeled frosted branch angiitis. The term "acute frosted retinal periphlebitis" seems to describe more accurately the clinical findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Kleiner
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shakin
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Yannuzzi
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Crosswell
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: McLean
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones