High-dose intravenous pulse methylprednisolone hemisuccinate in acute Behçet retinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the response of acute Behçet retinitis to high-dose corticosteroids.


METHODS
Case report. A 58-year-old man with Behçet disease and severe bilateral glaucoma experienced a sudden decrease of visual acuity to counting fingers in his (better-seeing) left eye. Examination disclosed hypopyon uveitis and an infiltrative retinitis threatening the fovea. He received intravenous methylprednisolone hemisuccinate, 1 gram per hour on each of 3 successive days, followed by oral prednisone and cyclosporine.


RESULTS
The retinal infiltrate disappeared within 24 hours. Visual acuity improved to LE, 20/400 by day 5 and returned to LE, 20/30 after 3 months. A visual field demonstrated a scotoma corresponding to the location of the previous retinitis.


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone can reverse severe vision loss in acute Behçet retinitis.
Reed
J B
JB
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento 95816, USA.
Morse
L S
LS
Schwab
I R
IR
D000208:Acute Disease; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012173:Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone