Electrophysiologic findings in chloroquine maculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an interesting case with a typical chloroquine bull's eye maculopathy with important results of the electrophysiological tests and verify if any reduction of focal responses, detected in multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), are congruent with any possible defects detected in the visual field.


METHODS
A 59-year-old man took a daily dosage of 250 mg chloroquine for his rheumatoid arthritis (up to a total dose of 540 g). He had the typical chloroquine-induced bull's-eye maculopathy. The electro-oculogram was normal. The mfERG, demonstrated reduced focal responses in the areas corresponding to the scotoma detected in the visual field.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the normality of the electro-oculogram, we can easily conclude that the electro-oculogram is not sensible to detect chloroquine maculopathy and that reported reductions may occur due to the course of the rheumatoid arthritis itself. The mfERG may be an important ophthalmological screening and follow-up management to investigate patients using chloroquine.
Halfeld Furtado de Mendonça
Regina
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Service, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. halfeld@libero.it
Maia
Otacílio Oliveira
OO
Yukihiko Takahashi
Walter
W
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004585:Electrooculography; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012607:Scotoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014794:Visual Fields
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D002738:Chloroquine