Retinal hemorrhages from septic emboli in a patient with a ventricular false chorda.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate ophthalmic findings of bacterial endocarditis in a patient with a cardiac structural anomaly and to illustrate the potential usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in the examination of such patients.


METHODS
We examined a patient with bacteremia who had white-centered retinal hemorrhages. Complete clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic evaluations were performed.


RESULTS
Streptococcal bacteremia was proven and, by using transesophageal echocardiography, a ventricular false chorda was demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with white-centered retinal hemorrhages should undergo thorough systemic examinations. In this unusual case of such hemorrhages caused by bacteremia in a patient with a ventricular false chorda, modern, high-resolution transesophageal echocardiography played an important role in confirming the diagnosis.
Weissgold
D J
DJ
Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114-3096, USA. djweissgold@mem.po.com
Decker
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications*; D004698:Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents