UVEAL EFFUSION IN WALDENSTRÖM MACROGLOBULINEMIA: A CASE REPORT

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder.
• Ocular manifestations of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia are uncommon.
• Choroidal detachments are a rare but serious complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia-related choroidal detachments.
• To highlight the association between this hematologic malignancy and ocular effusion.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an 80-year-old woman with bilateral visual loss.
• Clinical examination revealed bilateral choroidal detachments without retinal or vitreal abnormalities.
• Diagnosis of exclusion for other causes of uveal effusion was performed.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with bilateral visual loss and was diagnosed with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
• Funduscopic examination showed bilateral choroidal detachments.
• Treatment with chemotherapy, corticosteroids, and plasmapheresis resulted in complete resolution of choroidal detachments and improved vision within one month.

Conclusions:

• Uveal effusion, including choroidal detachments, is an extremely rare ocular complication of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
• Porous choroidal vessels may allow overproduced immunoglobulins to leak into the supra-choroidal space, triggering effusion.
• This case underscores the importance of considering ocular complications in patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.