Serpiginous-like choroiditis as sign of intraocular tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a world-wide public health problem which may clinically present in many different ways. Here we report on a patient with presumed serpiginous choroiditis (PSC) found to have latent ocular tuberculosis.

The clinical history and physical examination, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chest radiograph, fundus fluorescein angiography, tuberculin skin test, serological tests, and systemic evaluation carried out by consultant internist of a 42-year-old man with PSC were evaluated. The patient presented with gradual painless loss of central vision in his left eye and dark rings in the central visual field of the right eye. Upon examination, he was found to have 1 round choroidal lesion centered in the left macula and multiple serpiginous-like choroidal lesions in the right eye. Based on positive tuberculin skin test result, the patient was initially treated with anti-tubercular therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids. An immunosuppressive agent (Azathioprine) was consequently administered due to unsatisfactory response to initial therapy and the vicinity of the pathological process to the right fovea.

It is important to remember that tubercular choroiditis may present with clinical features of serpiginous choroiditis, requiring timely and appropriate therapy and close observation in order to prevent the progression of visual loss and recurrences.