Idiopathic bilateral frosted branch hemorrhagic vasculitis

Abstract

Introduction: We have reported here an unusually severe case of bilateral frosted branch angiitis with hemorrages and exudates surrounding the retinal veins in a previously healthy 28-year old man who presented with significantly reduced vision in both eyes, with no findings of primary pathology.

Clinical case: We present the case of a 28-year-old man who consulted for loss of visual acuity in both eyes with a febrile episode of unknown origin as a prodrome. Ophtalmologic examination revealed signs of vasculitis with perivascular hemorrages in both eyes. Complementary ophtalmological and systemic studies were performed, but no findings suggestive of a primary pathology as the cause of the vasculitis were found. The diagnosis of idiopathic acute frosted branch angiitis was based on retinal vasculitis associated with retinal edema and hemorrhages, confirmed using fluorescein angiography.

Conclusion: There is little information in the literature on this pathology, which is why the final diagnosis is usually made late, also delaying timely treatment. Hence the importance of taking this type of conditions into account in previously healthy patients, without associated symptoms, who present acute drecrease in vision and retinal vasculitis.