Case report: A Rare Yet Life Threatening Mimicker of Chronic Conjunctivitis

Authors

  • Prakash Supahiah Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia
  • Benjamin Ng Han Sim Medical Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia
  • Siew Yuen Goh Opthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v11i2.554

Keywords:

Scleritis, Wegener's Granulomatosis, chronic conjunctivitis

Abstract

Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is a necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. A 40-year-old lady of Malay descent presented with unresolving bilateral painful red eyes for three weeks. Clinical examination revealed that best corrected vision acuity of 6/9 for both eyes. Slit lamp examination revealed diffuse scleritis. Other Investigations result like UFEME blood cell: 2+, C-reactive protein 70.06 mg/L and ESR of 125mm/h suggestive on acute inflammations. Connective tissue screening revealed cytoplasmic ANCA was positive and was supported by Anti –Serine Protease3 (PR3) 68. All the investigations results revealed that she had Wegener’s granulomatosis with ophthalmology manifestation in the form scleritis. Patient was treated with guttae Maxidex QID to reduce cells that present in anterior chamber and oral ibuprofen 400mg thrice daily. Subsequently, commence oral prednisolone, oral cyclophosphamide with oral Bactrim. Patient responded well and redness resolved. There are many differential diagnosis for chronic conjunctivitis but to rule out connective tissue disease should be one of the primary differential diagnosis in young female. Oral immunosuppressive and Trimethoprim /Sufmethoxazole (Bactrim) has been found beneficial and symptoms were resolved . Wegener's granulomatosis is a great mimicker as exemplified in this case. This disease can be misdiagnosed and maltreated as conjunctivitis.Thus we wished to emphasize that WG is one the differential that need to be consider in a person with bilateral scleritis. 

Author Biographies

Prakash Supahiah, Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia

Medical Officer, Opthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia MD(Moscow Medical Academy, Russia)

Benjamin Ng Han Sim, Medical Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia

General Physician, Medical Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia MD(hons)(UMS), MRCP(UK),MRCP(London), SCE(Acute Medicine,UK)

Siew Yuen Goh, Opthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia

Head of Department and Opthalmologist, Opthalmology Department, Hospital Segamat, Johor Malaysia MBBS(Manipal of Higher Education), Doctor of Opthalmology (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)

References

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Published

2017-07-19

How to Cite

Supahiah, P., Ng Han Sim, B., & Goh, S. Y. (2017). Case report: A Rare Yet Life Threatening Mimicker of Chronic Conjunctivitis. Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS), 11(2), 31. https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v11i2.554
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