title: Purtscher-like Retinopathy as a Rare Presentation of Cryoglobulinemia.
abstract: Purtscher's retinopathy is a rare condition that is noted in cases related to various types of trauma. The characteristic finding in the fundus is the presence of multiple Purtscher flecken. Purtscher-like retinopathy has a similar presentation in the fundus but is not associated with trauma. We report the case of a 55-year-old male who presented a severe visual loss during course of a hepatitis C infection. Ophthalmic examination indicated peripapillary cotton wool spots and superficial retinal whitening in the macula. Cryoglobulinemia complicating hepatitis C was discovered in this patient. Purtscher-like retinopathy as a rare presentation of cryoglobulinemia should be considered in patients with a history of hepatitis infection.
authors.affiliation: Department B of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Hedi Rais Institute of Ophthalmology, University of El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chebil
authors.affiliation: Department B of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Hedi Rais Institute of Ophthalmology, University of El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Rym
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mammouri
authors.affiliation: Department B of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Hedi Rais Institute of Ophthalmology, University of El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Ben
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.affiliation: Department B of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Hedi Rais Institute of Ophthalmology, University of El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: El Matri
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a
keywords: Cryoglobulinemia; Hepatitis C; Purtscher