Ocular syphilis with optic disc neovascularization treated with bevacizumab evaluated by OCT angiography and electroretinography.
Gen MiuraTakayuki BabaMarie TakeishiTomoaki TatsumiHirotaka YokouchiShuichi YamamotoPublished in: Journal of ophthalmic inflammation and infection (2020)
We present our findings in an atypical case of ocular syphilis with optic disc neovascularization that was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and followed by multimodal imaging and electroretinography. A 29-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of night blindness of one-year duration. Our initial examination showed that an optic disc neovascularization was present, and the optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images showed a reduction in the length of the ellipsoid zone of both eyes. Fluorescein angiography showed leakage from the optic disc neovascular tissue, and the presence of nonperfused areas in the peripheral retina. Blood test was strongly positive for syphilis. He was administered oral amoxicillin and prednisolone. He was also treated with an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab which led to a rapid suppression of the neovascularization. However, panretinal photocoagulation had to be performed because OCT angiography and fluorescein angiography detected residual neovascularization. Although these treatments suppressed the activity of the ocular syphilis, electrophysiological improvements were not seen even 1 year after the initial treatment. OCT angiography and electroretinogram are useful techniques for monitoring the effectiveness of the treatments.
Keyphrases
- optical coherence tomography
- diabetic retinopathy
- optic nerve
- men who have sex with men
- human immunodeficiency virus
- high resolution
- randomized controlled trial
- systematic review
- age related macular degeneration
- depressive symptoms
- hepatitis c virus
- mass spectrometry
- endothelial cells
- hiv infected
- photodynamic therapy
- ultrasound guided
- sensitive detection
- cone beam