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Acute Retinal Necrosis after Herpetic Encephalitis.
F Kianersi1, A Masjedi, H Ghanbari
1Ophthalmology Ward, Feiz Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Case Reports in Ophthalmology
|November 30, 2010
Summary
Herpetic encephalitis may increase the risk of acute retinal necrosis. Early treatment with acyclovir is crucial for preventing this vision-threatening condition after encephalitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Neurology
Background:
- Herpetic encephalitis, a severe brain infection, can have ocular complications.
- Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a serious intraocular inflammatory condition.
Observation:
- A young man developed unilateral acute retinal necrosis one month after herpetic encephalitis.
- Ocular findings included retinitis, vitritis, retinal hemorrhage, and retinal arteriolitis.
- Herpes simplex virus type 2 was detected in the aqueous humor.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction confirmed herpes simplex virus type 2 as the cause of ARN.
- Intravenous acyclovir treatment was initiated for the patient.
- Herpetic encephalitis is identified as a potential risk factor for developing ARN.
Implications:
- The trans-axonal route is a possible mechanism for viral spread from the brain to the eye.
- Prophylactic acyclovir may be considered after herpetic encephalitis to prevent ARN.
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring for ocular complications post-encephalitis.
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