Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.53(8) > 1009149

An, Kwon, Hwang, and Park: A Case of Acute Retinal Necrosis Following Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Encephalitis

Abstract

Purpose

To report a case of unilateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN) following herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis.

Case summary

A 19-year-old man previously diagnosed with HSV encephalitis presented with a headache and visual loss in his left eye. On the initial visit, slit-lamp examination showed conjunctival injection and inflammatory cells (3+) in the anterior chamber of the left eye. Funduscopic examination showed optic disc swelling, multiple yellow-whitish spots in the peripheral retina and retinal vascular sheathing. After the patient was diagnosed with ARN, intravenous acyclovir (1,500 mg/m2/day) was administered. Because retinal detachment and multiple retinal breaks were found during the treatment period, the authors performed barrier laser treatment in the peripheral retina. At that time, no retinal necrosis was observed in the patient's right eye. The retinal lesions regressed, and no new retinal lesion was observed in the left eye, during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

We report a case of ARN in a patient with HSV encephalitis. Ophthamologist should perform a thorough ophthalmic examination in a patient diagnosed with HSV encephalitis.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Brain MRI enhanced sequence consistent with lesions of herpes simplex encephalitis.
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Figure 2
(A) In initial presentations, fundus photographs shows disc swelling and retinal vascular sheathing. (B) There are multiple, cream-colored, confluent necrotic lesions and hemorrhage at the periphery.
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