Endoretinal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis of uveitis: a clinicopathologic report of three cases.
OBJECTIVE
To report the value of endoretinal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis of severe posterior uveitis.


METHODS
A clinicopathologic report of three patients with severe posterior uveitis unresponsive to corticosteroids and with a negative systemic workup. These patients subsequently underwent vitrectomy and endoretinal biopsy.


RESULTS
Endoretinal biopsy provided an accurate diagnosis in the three cases, leading to appropriate treatment. Histopathologic examination of the three retinal samples confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lymphoma. Targeted treatment improved the ocular conditions in all three cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In selected cases of severe bilateral vision-threatening uveitis, retinal biopsy may be indicated as a last resort to confirm a suspected diagnosis of infectious disease or malignancy.
Cassoux
Nathalie
N
Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital Paris France. cassoux@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Charlotte
Fréderic
F
Rao
Narsing A
NA
Bodaghi
Bahram
B
Merle-Beral
Hélène
H
Lehoang
Phuc
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014392:Tuberculosis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014821:Vitrectomy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids