Phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis: echographic diagnosis of phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis

A sixty-year-old black diabetic female developed a severe postoperative endophthalmitis eight days after unplanned extracapsular cataract surgery. Gram stain of a diagnostic vitreous aspirate showed no organisms, and culture of the aspirate was negative for bacteria and fungi. A- and B-scan ultrasonography showed the presence of intra-vitreal lens fragments; the diagnosis of phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis was made and intensive steroid therapy was instituted early in the course of the disease. Resorption of the lens fragments in association with gradual diminution of the inflammatory process was documented by serial echograms of the eye. The vitreous ultimately cleared and the patient regained useful vision. Ultrasonography is recommended as an essential part of the diagnostic evaluation of any patient with postoperative endophthalmitis especially with a history of extracapsular surgery.