Pseudouveitis--analysis of cases misdiagnosed as posterior uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of non-uveitic entities that were referred as posterior uveitis to a uveitis referral center.


METHODS
We came across and analyzed 32 cases of non-uveitic entities (1.12%) that had been misdiagnosed and referred as posterior uveitis out of 2846 outpatient cases of posterior uveitis registered from 1990 to June 2002. The final diagnosis was achieved by history, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, meticulous fundus evaluation, imaging, and ancillary studies.


RESULTS
The finally diagnosed 32 non-uveitic entities that mimicked posterior uveitis were multiple leak central serous retinopathy (n = 8; 25%), choroidal neovascular membrane (n = 6; 18.75%), typical central serous retinopathy (n = 4; 12.5%), dry form of age-related macular degeneration (n = 3; 9.3%), retinitis pigmentosa (n = 3; 9.3%), heredomacular degeneration (n = 3; 9.3%), myelinated nerve fibers (n = 2; 6.2%), malignant melanoma of the choroid (n = 1; 3.1%), old spontaneously reattached retinal detachment (n = 1; 3.1%), and subhyaloid hemorrhage (n = 1; 3.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
The purpose of the study was to underline the fact that there are some non-uveitic entities that mimic posterior uveitis and that an ophthalmologist can be deceived. The study highlights the problems diagnosing posterior uveitis and presents an algorithm of diagnostic approach to avoid misdiagnosis.
Nagpal
Amit
A
Medical and Vision Research Foundations, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.
Biswas
Jyotirmay
J
D000328:Adult; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004585:Electrooculography; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000175:diagnosis*