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Central retinal artery occlusion in Sneddon's disease associated with antiphospholipid antibodies
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 15, 1986
Insights
Sneddon's disease, a rare disorder, can cause retinal artery occlusion. Antiphospholipid antibodies detected in a patient suggest a link to the disease's cause.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Sneddon's disease is a rare, non-inflammatory occlusive hydrocephalus characterized by livedo reticularis, recurrent ischemic strokes, and headaches.
- The condition typically affects young adults and is associated with hypertension.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old woman presented with retinal artery occlusion, a condition not previously well-documented in Sneddon's disease.
- Her medical history included livedo reticularis, neurological abnormalities, and labile hypertension, consistent with Sneddon's disease.
Findings:
- Retinal artery occlusion was identified as a new potential manifestation within the spectrum of Sneddon's disease.
- Antiphospholipid antibodies were detected in the patient, suggesting a potential pathogenetic link.
Implications:
- This case expands the known clinical manifestations of Sneddon's disease to include retinal vascular occlusive events.
- The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies points towards an autoimmune or thrombotic mechanism, potentially involving antiphospholipid syndrome, in the pathogenesis of Sneddon's disease.
Abstract:
A 33-year-old woman with retinal artery occlusion also had Sneddon's disease (livedo reticularis, neurologic abnormalities, and labile hypertension). While retinal artery occlusive disease obviously must be added to the symptomatic spectrum of this rare disorder, the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies in this patient has pathogenetic implications.