Purtscher's retinopathy that occurred 6 months before acute pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report Purtscher's retinopathy in a patient with chronic pancreatitis 6 months before the development of fulminant acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
Observational case report.


METHODS
Review of clinical chart, photographs, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.


RESULTS
A 45-year-old man with a history of alcohol abuse with a 3-day history of decreased vision in both eyes was examined. Diffuse retinal whitening and intraretinal hemorrhages that were consistent with Purtscher's retinopathy were present in both eyes. Serum amylase and lipase levels were normal. Six months later, he experienced intractable abdominal pain. Serum amylase and lipase levels were elevated markedly. Abdominal computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography confirmed acute pancreatitis, with evidence of coexisting chronic pancreatitis. His funduscopic examination after the development of acute pancreatitis was improved, with almost complete resolution of retinal whitening and hemorrhages. Visual acuity remained poor because of retinal ischemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Purtscher's retinopathy can be associated with chronic pancreatitis and can precede the development of fulminant acute pancreatitis.
Sharma
Ashish G
AG
Kresge Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Kazim
Nadia A
NA
Eliott
Dean
D
Houghton
Odette
O
Abrams
Gary W
GW
D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity
D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases