Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025
10:10
Full-Circle Cauterization of Limbal Vascular Plexus for Surgically Induced Glaucoma in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2022
1.5K
Hydralazine-induced vasculitis presenting with ocular manifestations
Vivian S Hawn1, Thomas A Vo2, David Flomenbaum1
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, NY, 10461, Bronx, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
|April 25, 2022
Summary
This case report details an 88-year-old female whose hydralazine-induced vasculitis initially presented with severe ocular symptoms. Prompt treatment involving steroids and hydralazine withdrawal led to symptom resolution, emphasizing early recognition of ocular signs.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Hydralazine is a vasodilator used to treat hypertension.
- Drug-induced vasculitis can present with diverse systemic manifestations.
- Ocular involvement in drug-induced vasculitis is rare but can be severe.
Observation:
- An 88-year-old female presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
- She subsequently developed bilateral conjunctival chemosis and injection.
- Progressive periorbital skin blistering indicated a systemic inflammatory process.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with hydralazine-induced vasculitis.
- Ophthalmological manifestations were the initial presenting symptoms.
- Treatment included intravenous steroids and hydralazine discontinuation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for ocular manifestations to be the initial sign of hydralazine-induced vasculitis.
- Early recognition of ocular symptoms is crucial for diagnosing potentially life-threatening dermatological conditions.
- This underscores the importance of a comprehensive evaluation in patients with unexplained ocular and dermatological symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
67
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
67
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
83
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
83
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
58
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
58
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
892
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
892
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
33
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
33
01:23Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
671
Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...
671