Isolated ophthalmologic relapse in a case of suspected microscopic polyangiitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of suspected microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) with isolated retinal vasculitis not described previously.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 50-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of retinal vasculitis. The patient had been diagnosed with systemic vasculitis type MPA 8 years earlier. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography did not reveal other vascular lesions. ANCA and MPO were detected, but results of systemic evaluation were normal. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide followed by oral prednisone. Visual acuity improved rapidly, leading to discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy after 2 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinal vasculitis can be a sign of systemic disease and, in this case, was the single manifestation of a relapse. In some cases of recurrent isolated retinal vasculitis, a short treatment course of immunosuppressive and systemic steroids can be enough for resolution.
From *Unidad de Enfermedades Autoinmunes Sistémicas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, and †Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
Luis
L
Caminal-Montero
Luis
L
Trapiella-Martínez
José B
JB
Díaz-López
Marta
M
Fonollá-Gil