Bilateral iridocyclitis with retinal capillaritis in juveniles.
OBJECTIVE
The authors present clinical features of 18 juvenile patients with a new type of uveitis termed bilateral iridocyclitis with retinal capillaritis (BIRC).


METHODS
The authors reviewed medical records of 18 consecutive patients who showed bilateral iridocyclitis with retinal capillary leakage but no systemic manifestations during an 11-year period from January 1985 to December 1995.


RESULTS
Twelve of the 18 patients were female and the age at onset ranged from 9 to 17 years old. All patients had many cells in the anterior chamber and anterior vitreous, together with mutton fat keratic precipitates. Fluorescein angiography showed leakage from the optic disc and retinal capillaries, mainly in the midperiphery, which corresponded to retinal cloudiness. Macular edema was minimal, and all patients maintained good vision. The inflammation responded well topical, oral, and intravenous administration of corticosteroids, the choice of which was based on the extent of retinal inflammation. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR6 and HLA-Cw7 were associated significantly with the presence of BIRC (chi square test, P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral retinal capillaritis affecting capillaries in various areas of the retina and overlying retinal cloudiness with no distinct lesions are unique to these patients. Fluorescein angiography is essential for diagnosis of BIRC.
Matsuo
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Matsuo
N
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D019393:Arrestin / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015808:HLA-DR6 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity
D019393:Arrestin; D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; C040178:HLA-C*70 antigen; D015808:HLA-DR6 Antigen