[Uveomeningoencephalitis: report of 2 cases]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Immunology

Background:

• Uveomeningoencephalitic syndromes encompass inflammatory conditions affecting ocular, neurological, and dermatological systems.
• These syndromes, including Harada disease, Vogt-Koyanagi syndrome, and Behçet disease, are more common in Oriental patients, with a mean age of onset around 30.

Observation:

• The study details two distinct cases of uveomeningoencephalitic syndrome in Brazilian patients.
• Case 1 involved a 45-year-old man with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease presenting with meningoencephalitic symptoms, followed by bilateral uveitis and the rare complication of Korsakoff syndrome.
• Case 2 described a 24-year-old man with Behçet disease, experiencing recurrent meningitis, genital ulcers, and severe uveitis leading to blindness.

Findings:

• The study highlights the diverse clinical manifestations of uveomeningoencephalitic syndromes, including rare neurological sequelae.
• A significant finding was the association of Korsakoff syndrome with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, a correlation not previously reported in the literature.
• Behçet disease presented with typical features including recurrent meningitis and ocular inflammation, leading to vision loss.

Implications:

• These cases underscore the importance of recognizing the varied neurological presentations of uveomeningoencephalitic syndromes.
• Further research is warranted to explore the etiopathogenesis and optimize treatment strategies, including the controversial use of corticosteroids.
• The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive patient evaluation to identify and manage potential neurological complications associated with these inflammatory conditions.