Cryoglobulinemia associated with Purtscher-like retinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy in a young man with chronic hepatitis C--associated cryoglobulinemia.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 44-year-old Caucasian man with chronic hepatitis C developed sudden loss of vision in the left eye and abdominal pain. Ocular fundus examination revealed peripapillary cotton-wool spots and superficial retinal whitening in the macula. Systemic evaluation revealed markedly elevated rheumatoid factor, hypertension, and acute renal insufficiency. A renal biopsy demonstrated intravascular deposition of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM and complement consistent with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should consider cryoglobulinemia in the differential diagnosis of a patient with Purtscher-like retinopathy and history of infection with hepatitis C.
Myers
J P
JP
Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Di Bisceglie
A M
AM
Mann
E S
ES
D000328:Adult; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications*