title: Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with acute pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Purtscher-like retinopathy with bilateral loss of vision is a rare and severe complication that may follow acute pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case of a 35-year-old patient with acute alcoholic pancreatitis who developed sudden loss of visual acuity is described. The ophthalmoscopic examination revealed diffuse retinal whitening of the posterior pole with confluent cotton-wool spots. Fluorescein angiogram showed retinal arteriolar occlusion. The findings were compatible with Purtscher-like retinopathy. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated enlarged liver and pancreas with edema and inflammation. The pathogenesis of this form of retinopathy still remains uncertain and there is no specific treatment available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Rua Alexander Fleming s/n, CEP 13081-970 Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Clayton Rocha Lara
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carrera
authors.forename: Leandro Mont'alverne
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pierre
authors.forename: Flavio Mac Cord
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Paulo de Tarso Ponte
authors.initials: Pde T
authors.lastname: Pierre-Filho
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity