Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Pyar KP, Tun Z, Htet Aung ZN, Kaung Myat OO, Htike ZM and Myint YM
Keywords : Floaters; Retinal hemorrhages; Vasculitis; Neovascularization; Syphilis
A 61-year-old woman visited to eye clinic
as she had floaters in left eye. She had diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
Localized retinal hemorrhages with occult neovascularization/ vasculitis were
seen in fundus examination. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiogram (OCTA) of
left eye revealed clinically occult neovascularization. Blood for VDRL, TPHA,
and Syphilis chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) were positive. She was
treated successfully with benzathine penicillin and laser photocoagulation. Her
husband had positive test for TPHA and treatment was given too.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by
Treponema pallidum. Previously known as the "great imitator", it has
numerous and complex manifestations particularly in secondary and tertiary
syphilis. Ocular involvement in acquired syphilis is rare, tending to occur
during the secondary and tertiary stages of the disease. It is a form of
neurovascular syphilis; however, it may be primary syphilis [1]. Syphilis may
affect all the structures of the eye [2]; therefore, syphilis serology is
advised for any patient with unknown intraocular inflammation. Uveitis was
reported as the most common ocular finding [3-5]. Generally, contact tracing
and proper treatment are essential in both treatment and cure of syphilis.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for visual prognosis
[6]. The diagnosis of ocular syphilis requires screening with a non-treponemal
serology and confirmation with a treponemal-specific test [7-10]. With proper
diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment, the majority of cases of ocular
syphilis can be cured. Parenterally administered penicillin G is considered
first-line therapy for all stages of ocular syphilis. Systemic corticosteroids
and intravitreal bevacizumab are indicated in for posterior uveitis, scleritis
and optic neuritis if ocular inflammation is severe [11-12]. Prolonged
follow-up is necessary because of the possibility of relapse of the disease.
Causes of retinal hemorrhages are trauma, blood dyscrasia, diabetes mellitus,
hypertension and infections; bacterial, viral and parasites. Fundoscopic
examination is essential to see the pattern/shape of hemorrhage and its
distribution. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiogram (OCTA) of eye is
non-invasive examination; it clearly demonstrates vascular pattern, hemorrhages
and neovascularization.
Case Presentation
A 61-year-old woman visited to eye clinic with complaint of floaters in left eye for one month duration. There was no complaint of reduced vision, seeing flashing of light and loss of visual field defect. There was no history of ocular trauma and surgery. She has diabetes mellitus for 17 years; well controlled with metformin, gliclazide and sitagliptin. She also has hypertension for same duration and controlled with amlodipine and enalapril. She had total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy in 2000 due to molar pregnancy (H. Mole).
Figure
1: Dilated
fundus examination of right eye revealing unremarkable findings in optic disc
and macula.
Figure 2: Dilated fundus examination of left eye revealing
unremarkable findings in optic disc and macula.
Figure 3: Peripheral retinal
examination of Left Eye showing active localized hemorrhages toward the
vitreous face.
Figure 4:
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiogram (OCT angiography) of left eye revealed
clinically occult neovascularization elsewhere (NVEs) at the site of active
bleeding area.
Figure 5:
Fundus right eye at 3 months.
She received 12 units of blood transfusion for
torrential bleeding per vagina. She also had carcinoma breast; she underwent
right mastectomy in 2022. She had ischemic heart disease and she has been on
aspirin. Ocular Examination, visual acuity on right eye was 6/12 Unaided and
6/9 with glasses; left was 6/36 Unaided and 6/9 with glasses. Intraocular
pressure was normal; 18.3 mmHg on right and 17.9 mmHg on left. Cornea, anterior
chamber, pupils and anterior vitrous were normal. Early cortical cataract was
noted in both eyes. Visual field test of both eyes by confrontation was normal.
Fundus examination of the both eyes (after dilatation) was unremarkable in optic
disc and macula as shown in (Figures 1 and 2). Peripheral retinal examination
of Left Eye revealed abnormalities: focal retinal vasculitis areas were noted
along the infero-temporal quadrant at about 5-disc diameter away from the optic
disc; the spots were active localized hemorrhages toward the vitreous face; PVD
was not yet developed; there was no evidence of an associated retinal break and
tear. (Figure 3) reveals peripheral retinal examination of Left Eye showing
active localized hemorrhages toward the vitreous face. There was no evidence of
hypertensive retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Blood pressure
was 130/80 mmHg; pulse rate was 75/minutes; sinus rhythm; carotids were normal;
neurological examination revealed no evidence of tabo-paresis; higher cortical
function and cranial nerve examination were normal; pupils were normal size and
no evidence of Argyl Roberson pupil. Regarding investigations, blood sugar and
HbA1c was within normal limits; complete
blood count (CBC) was within normal
limits; lipid profiles were within normal limits; ESR increased up to 30mm/hr.
Vasculitis screens were normal; antinuclear antibody (ANA) was negative;
rheumatoid factor was negative; LE Cell Test was negative. Infective screenings
were done. HIV serology, Hepatitis B serology and Hepatitis C serology were
non-reactive. Toxoplasma IgM was negative. ICT for tuberculosis was negative.
Blood for KT VDRL was reactive; TPHA was positive up to 1: 320 dilutions
(>1:80 indicate a past or current infection with syphilis). Syphilis
chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) Test was > 600mlU/ml (reference <1
mlU/mL).Therefore, it was concluded that the patient was having retinal
vasculitis with active localized vitreous haemorrhage due to ocular syphilis;
it caused floaters in left eye. Joint care treatment of ophthalmologist and
physician were taken. Optical coherence tomography angiogram (OCTA) was done;
left eye revealed clinically occult neovascularization elsewhere (NVEs) at the
site of active bleeding area. At the periphery of infero-temporal quadrant with
adjacent capillary non-perfusion area were noted. (Figure 4) shows OCTA of left
eye revealed clinically occult neovascularization elsewhere (NVEs) at the site
of active bleeding area. Therefore, targeted retinal photocoagulation (TRP) was
applied using Argon Laser with the laser setting of power - 140-190mW, spot
size - 200 µm and duration 0.1 sec at the inferior peripheral retina outside
the vascular arcade. Follow-up visit after 3 months showed marked improvement.
The patient had no more floater in her left eye. Visual quality was appreciated
though subjective visual acuity was same; right eye was 6/36 unaided and 6/9
with glasses; left was 6/36 unaided and 6/9 with glasses. Intraocular pressure
was 14.2 mmHg on right eye, 18.3 mmHg on left eye. (Figure 5) demonstrates
improvement in OCTA.
This patient presented with floaters in left eye for
one month; peripheral retinal examination revealed focal retinal vasculitis
with localized hemorrhages. Retinal hemorrhages are a common clinical
manifestation in patients visiting an eye clinic. Retinal hemorrhages give a
clue to an underlying systemic disorder or an uncontrolled ocular disorder. The
extent, depth, and pattern of distribution of the hemorrhages give us a clue as
to what might be the underlying cause. The patient did not have typical
features of neither diabetic retinopathy (dot and blot and vitreous
hemorrhages, bilateral and diffusely distributed in the posterior pole) nor
hypertensive retinopathy (silver wiring, arterio-venous nipping, diffuse
flame-shaped hemorrhages, preretinal hemorrhages and papilledema). Therefore,
absence of known disease related retinal changes was the clue to find out
underlying systemic disease in this case; one reason for case reporting.The
location, size, and distribution of the retinal hemorrhages provide clues to
the etiology and uncover underlying systemic disorders such as vascular
disease, hematologic disorders, and dyscrasias, infections, trauma, or hypoxia.
This patient had one focal area of localized retinal vasculitis with localized
hemorrhages. Therefore, the possibility of connective tissue disorders (lupus)
was unlikely in this case; intraretinal hemorrhage and vascular occlusions
(severe stages) were commonly seen bilaterally in SLE vasculitis. However,
blood tests for LE cell and dsDNA were done; and they were negative. Blood for
complete picture was normal in this case; there was no history of trauma or
hypoxia. Therefore, the most likely aetiology for localized hemorrhages and
vasculitis would be infection. Several case reports found out tuberculosis, HIV
infection and syphilis. Chest radiograph was normal and IGRA test for
tuberculosis was negative. Both non-treponemal and Treponema serology tests
were positive. It also highlighted the importance of doing syphilitic
serological tests in patient with unexplained retinal hemorrhages and
vasculitis. Therefore, Treponema pallidum is known as the “great masquerader”
for its many presentations and ocular findings in patients who are infected and
develop secondary and tertiary stage of syphilis. It is another reason for case
reporting. Retinal vasculitis is one of the manifestations of ocular syphilis;
one case report mentioned 29-year-old man with sudden visual loss due to
syphilitic vascular occlusion in large retinal arteries, arterioles, and
capillaries as well as in segments of retinal veins, resulting in irreversible
changes in the vascular walls [2]. Having negative serology for retroviral
infection in this patient was good as HIV infection and syphilis co-infection
was commonly reported in eye manifestations [3-6]. High index of suspicion is
essential to get early diagnosis particularly in ophthalmology practice and
appropriate treatment of ocular syphilis; hence, they are important for visual
prognosis [1-10]. Contact tracing, examination, Treponema serology tests and
treatment to sexual partner are not only essential in primary syphilis but also
in secondary and tertiary syphilis. In this case, the patient’s husband did not
admit unprotected extramarital exposure or genital sore although Treponema
serology tests were positive. He did not have features of secondary or tertiary
syphilis. After taking penicillin therapy for 3 months, the titer for
Treponemal tests were dropped in both patient and husband. Management from eye
side for retinal hemorrhage consisted of intraocular management to reduce the
ischemic and neovascularization sequelae following the hemorrhages. In this
case, management was done in collaboration with physicians and microbiologists.
Reduction in titer of Treponema serology tests as well as improvement in
vision, symptoms and findings in OCTA showed success in treatment. This
activity highlights the importance of an interprofessional team in the evaluation
and treatment of retinal hemorrhages. Retinal hemorrhages are an important
ophthalmic diagnostic sign for an underlying systemic vascular disorder. They
may be first manifestation of systemic disease. A detailed slit-lamp
examination with fundus photography and an OTCA scan is essential to diagnose
the cause and help in deciding the various treatment options to prevent vision
loss. In this case, both fundoscopic examination and OCTA were very useful in
demonstrating vasculitis and hemorrhage initially and follow up too. In
diagnosing vasculitis, Fluorescein angiography was used previously. Compared to
Fluorescein angiography, OCTA is non-invasive. Therefore, this case again
highlighted the usefulness of non-invasive eye examination in ophthalmology. In
ophthalmology practice, retinal hemorrhages were reported as asymptomatic;
found in checkup. They range from the smallest dot and blot hemorrhage to
massive sub-hyaloid hemorrhage. Most require a detailed systemic work up to
detect the underlying cause for the hemorrhages. One report on various proposed
etiologies of peripheral retinal hemorrhages were senescence, systemic and
retinal vascular disease, hematologic disorders, infectious disease, hypoxia,
and mechanical and iatrogenic causes in 33 patients with peripheral retinal
hemorrhage detected during routine fundus examination. Therefore, they
suggested the importance of identifying causes associated with serious ocular
or systemic complications, appropriate treatment and followup (Tolls, 1998). Therefore,
fundus examination should be included in routine medical checkup. This patient
presented with floaters in left eye; she did not have no features of secondary
or tertiary syphilis. It supported the findings by Deschenes et al ‘most
patients had only ocular manifestations of syphilis with no other definitive
symptoms [13]. Therefore, awareness of ocular manifestation of syphilis is
extremely important to prevent visual loss. Doing Treponemal tests are
mandatory in finding etiology ocular signs.
Fundoscopic examination plays an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. Ocular syphilis can cause retinal vasculitis and it may lead to hemorrhages. Syphilis is one of the etiologies of vasculitis and it is treatable. Timely treatment with penicillin can restore vision. Interprofessional collaboration among ophthalmologists, physicians and microbiologists is essential. The manifestation of ocular syphilis may not associate with features of secondary or tertiary syphilis. Contact tracing or screening to husband and initiating appropriate treatment are essential. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiogram of eye is non-invasive examination and is very useful in detecting vascular pattern, hemorrhages and neovascularization.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the patient and
husband for giving consent to this article. The authors acknowledged Professor
Chaw Chaw Khaing for mentoring, Professor Tin Moe Mya for laboratory support,
Professor Thet Naing, Professor Myint Zaw, Professor Kyaw Zay Ya and Professor
Ko Ko Lwin for administrative support.
Declaration
of conflict of interest
The authors declared no potential conflicts of
interests with respect to authorship and publication of this article.
Ethical approval
Our institution does not require ethical approval for
reporting cases.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for
publication of this article.
Informed
consent
The informed consent for publication in this article
was obtained from patient.