Related Experiment Videos
Choroidal calcification in Bartter syndrome
G Marchini1, R Tosi, B Parolini
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Verona, Italy. barbagio@hotmail.com
Insights
This study reports a rare case of Bartter syndrome with normal serum calcium and posterior choroidal calcification. This finding expands the understanding of ocular manifestations in Bartter syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nephrology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bartter syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting renal salt reabsorption.
- It is characterized by renal juxtaglomerular apparatus hyperplasia, hyperaldosteronism, and hypokalemic alkalosis.
- Ocular manifestations are not well-documented, presenting diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old male patient with Bartter syndrome presented with bilateral cataracts.
- Ophthalmic examination revealed multifocal, bilateral choroidal lesions with posterior shadowing via echography.
- Post-cataract surgery, these lesions were diagnosed as choroidal calcification.
Findings:
- The case highlights Bartter syndrome associated with normal serum calcium levels.
- Echography identified characteristic choroidal calcifications in the posterior segment.
- These calcifications appeared as yellow-white, barely elevated plaques with smooth edges.
Implications:
- Choroidal calcification is a potential, previously unrecognized complication of Bartter syndrome.
- This finding necessitates the inclusion of choroidal calcification in the differential diagnosis for posterior segment calcifications.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and prevalence of ocular findings in Bartter syndrome.
Purpose:
Bartter syndrome is characterized by hyperplasia of the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus, hyperaldosteronism, and hypokalemic alkalosis. We report a case of Bartter syndrome associated with normal serum calcium levels and posterior choroidal calcification.
Methods:
Case report. A 59-year-old man with bilateral cataract and Bartter syndrome underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including standardized echography before and after cataract surgery.
Results:
Before cataract surgery, echography identified small, hyperreflective, multifocal, bilateral choroidal lesions with posterior shadowing. After surgery, these lesions appeared as yellow-white, barely elevated plaques with smooth edges and were diagnosed as choroidal calcification.
Conclusions:
Choroidal calcification may occur in patients with Bartter syndrome. This condition should be added to the differential diagnosis of posterior segment calcification.