[Benign masquerade syndromes in differential diagnosis of uveitis]

To present our experience with the diagnosis of benign masquerade syndromes, to evaluate the prevalence, clinical features and diagnostic tests.

A retrospective study of 42 patients treated for benign uveitis masquerade syndromes at our Department for DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF UVEITIS: 1st Faculty of Medicine in Prague, between 1996 and 2006, was performed.

Seventy-nine patients with masquerade syndromes (7.1%) from all 1112 patients with uveitis were included. Malign masquerade syndromes were recognized in 37 patients (19 females and 18 males, mean age 55 years) and benign masquerade syndromes in 42 patients (23 females and 19 males, mean age 33.7 years). The most frequent cause of benign masquerade syndromes was a group of vascular anomalies (22 patients). The primary diagnosis was infectious or idiopathic uveitis in many cases.The most valuable diagnostic procedures were fluorescein angiography and analysis of intraocular fluids.

Diagnosis of masquerade syndromes should be considered in all patients with idiopathic corticosteroid-resistant chronic uveitis. Timely diagnosis and treatment may improve the prognosis of masquerade syndromes.