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Cryoglobulinemia revealed by a Purtscher-like retinopathy
Arnaud Sauer1, Xavier Nasica, Frédérique Zorn
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, 1 Place de l’hôpital, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France. arnaud.sauer@chru-strasbourg.fr
Purpose:
To demonstrate the importance of collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists.
Design:
Cryoglobulinemia is a systemic vascularite. Ophthalmologic complications are rare and not well known. Purtscher-like retinopathy may occur in this context.
Case Report:
We report the case of a patient who presented a severe visual loss in the course of a hepatitis C. The ophthalmic examination shows a both ischemic and hemorrhagic bilateral retinopathy called Purtscher-like retinopathy. Cryoglobulinemia complicating a hepatitis C was discovered in our patient.
Conclusions:
This case illustrates a cryoglobulinemia complicating by a Purtscher-like retinopathy. The diagnosis has been possible thanks to collaboration between ophthalmologists and internists. We propose a few hypotheses to explain retinopathy pathogeny.
