Two cases of frosted branch angiitis with central retinal vein occlusion

• Published in: Japanese journal of ophthalmology Vol. 45; no. 6; p. 628
• Main Authors: Kaburaki, T, Nakamura, M, Nagasawa, K, Nagahara, M, Joko, S, Fujino, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Betamethasone - analogs & derivatives; Betamethasone - therapeutic use; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Glaucoma, Neovascular - diagnosis; Glaucoma, Neovascular - drug therapy; Glaucoma, Neovascular - etiology; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Laser Coagulation; Plasminogen Activators - therapeutic use; Retinal Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Retinal Hemorrhage - drug therapy; Retinal Hemorrhage - etiology; Retinal Vein - drug effects; Retinal Vein - pathology; Retinal Vein Occlusion - complications; Retinal Vein Occlusion - diagnosis; Retinal Vein Occlusion - drug therapy; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - therapeutic use; Vasculitis - diagnosis; Vasculitis - drug therapy; Vasculitis - etiology; Visual Acuity
• ISSN: 0021-5155
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-5155(01)00416-6

Frosted branch angiitis usually occurs in children, and has a good prognosis. We report two cases of unilateral frosted branch angiitis in adults. Both had poor visual outcomes because of associated central retinal vein occlusion and neovascular glaucoma. Case 1 was a 36-year-old woman. Almost all retinal veins and some retinal arteries showed vasculitis in her right eye, and veins were slightly dilated and sheathed. Case 2 was a 23-year-old woman. Angle hypopyon was observed in her left eye. Retinal veins were dilated, meandering, and sheathed. Retinal hemorrhages were also observed. In both cases, after systemic steroid therapy the retinal vasculitis gradually decreased, but central retinal vein occlusions gradually developed. Despite systemic administration of urokinase and panretinal photocoagulation, neovascular glaucoma developed, and visual acuity diminished in both cases. Two cases of frosted branch angiitis complicated by retinal vein occlusion are reported. Careful observation of retinal blood flow is necessary in frosted branch angiitis in adults.