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A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
A case of recurrent bloody tears
Safak Karslıoğlu1, Ilke Bahçeci Simşek, Müslime Akbaba
1İstanbul Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery and Ocular Oncology Center.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|August 18, 2011
Summary
This case study details a rare instance of recurrent bloody tearing (epiphora) following a drug-induced rash. Increased vascular permeability may explain this unusual presentation of bloody tears.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Blood-tinged epiphora typically stems from conjunctival lesions, lacrimal apparatus tumors, or bleeding disorders.
- Differential diagnosis for bloody tearing is extensive, requiring thorough clinical evaluation.
Observation:
- A patient developed recurrent bloody tearing after an erythema multiforme-like drug eruption and chronic conjunctivitis.
- Investigations revealed mild inflammation and increased vascular permeability with contrast extravasation on angiography, but no other specific cause.
Findings:
- Despite normal findings for common causes, the patient experienced intermittent unilateral bloody tears for two years.
- High-dose vitamin C was administered, and symptoms gradually resolved over three years.
Implications:
- This case suggests increased vascular permeability, potentially secondary to a systemic inflammatory process, as a rare cause of recurrent bloody epiphora.
- Highlights the importance of considering atypical etiologies in persistent bloody tearing.
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