title: Retinal neovascularization associated with acute retinal necrosis.
abstract: Unilateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN), developed in a previously healthy 17-year-old boy. Neovascularization of the retina and optic disc was observed when the opaque vitreous was removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Following surgery there was a rapid resolution of neovascularization suggesting that intraocular inflammation, rather than retinal ischemia, was the cause of new vessel formation. Analysis of vitreous mononuclear cells with monoclonal antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) revealed mostly T cells; a pattern consistent with intraocular infection as the cause of ARN. The pathogenesis of intraocular infection is complex and some patients with ARN may be helped by systemic immunosuppression (ie, corticosteroids).
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D012173:Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014821:Vitrectomy