Ocular complications of the Fernand-Widal triad and its therapy.
BACKGROUND
The Fernand-Widal triad (FWT) is the association of non-allergic intrinsic asthma, nasal polyposis and sensitivity to Aspirin. The aim of this paper is to describe the possibility of ocular complications, which we found in 3 cases: in 1 case due to the FWT itself and in the other 2 as a result of corticosteroid treatment.


METHODS
Three cases of the FWT with ocular complications were studied, and the pertinent literature was reviewed.


RESULTS
No previous description of ocular involvement in individuals with FWT was found in the literature. In the first case, episodes of orbital cellulitis due to superinfected nasal polyposis were found as a complication produced by the disease. In the other 2 cases, corticosteroid treatment created complications: ocular hypertension in both cases and bilateral subcapsular cataracts in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not rare, the diagnosis of the FWT is often missed. This perhaps explains why no report of ocular complications has yet been published in the literature. Because of the serious clinical consequences, physicians involved in the treatment of these patients should be aware of this diagnosis.
Martin
Xavier D
XD
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. xmartin@worlcom.ch
Duvoisin
Bertrand
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013577:Syndrome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001241:Aspirin