07 July 2015 : Case report
The Great Imitator: Ocular Syphilis Presenting as Posterior Uveitis
Challenging differential diagnosis, Diagnostic / therapeutic accidents, Rare disease, Educational Purpose (only if useful for a systematic review or synthesis)
Alan KuoABCDEF, Saba M. ZiaeeABDE, Hamid HosseiniABD, Vinod VoletiABD, Steven D. SchwartzABD, Nam U. KimABCDE, Phillip S. GeABCDEDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.893907
Am J Case Rep 2015; 16:434-437
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Syphilis is often known as the “Great Imitator”. The differential diagnosis of posterior uveitis is broad with ocular syphilis being particularly challenging to diagnose as it presents similarly to other ocular conditions such as acute retinal necrosis.
CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old woman with multiple sexual partners over the past few years presented with painful and progressively worsening unilateral vision loss for 2 weeks. Several months prior, she had reported non-specific symptoms of headache and diffuse skin rash. Despite treatment with oral acyclovir for 3 weeks, her vision progressively declined, and she was referred to the university ophthalmology clinic for further evaluation. On examination, there was concern for acute retinal necrosis and she was empirically treated with parenteral acyclovir while awaiting further infectious disease study results. Workup ultimately revealed ocular syphilis, and neurosyphilis was additionally confirmed with cerebrospinal fluid studies. Treatment with intravenous penicillin was promptly initiated with complete visual recovery.
CONCLUSIONS: Ocular syphilis varies widely in presentation and should be considered in all patients with posterior uveitis, especially with a history of headache and skin rashes. However, given that acute retinal necrosis is a more common cause of posterior uveitis and can rapidly result in permanent vision loss, it should be empirically treated whenever it is suspected while simultaneous workup is conducted to evaluate for alternative diagnoses.
Keywords: Diagnosis, Differential, Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use, Eye Infections, Bacterial - drug therapy, Neurosyphilis - drug therapy, Penicillin G - therapeutic use, Uveitis, Posterior - etiology
In Press
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PETAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839
13 Feb 2024 : Case report
Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel HematomaAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519
Most Viewed Current Articles
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
05 Mar 2022 : Case report
Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336
02 Apr 2022 : Case report
Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743