Exudative retinal detachment in Wegener's granulomatosis: case report

We have presented a case of Wegener's granulomatosis with characteristic systemic and ocular manifestations. The diagnosis was determined pathologically by thoracotomy and lung biopsy. Our patient's ocular complications included an intense vitritis, exudative retinal detachment, choroiditis, and other corneoscleral manifestations. Exudative retinal detachment is a finding not previously described clinically, but alluded to in pathologic descriptions from case reports. Both systemic and ocular response were obtained within weeks after the patient started cyclophosphamide and prednisone. In addition to recording this new finding, we have reviewed the pathology and ocular manifestations of this uncommon disorder, outlined a modern therapeutic protocol, and updated the present-day prognosis of Wegener's granulomatosis.