Clin Ophthalmol. 2011;5:877-80. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S21255. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal metastasis: a report of two cases.

Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)

Rabih Hage, Albert Jean-Charles, Jérôme Guyomarch, Olivier Rahimian, Angélique Donnio, Harold Merle

PMID: 21760715 PMCID: PMC3133004 DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S21255

Abstract

Posterior scleritis is a rare underdiagnosed condition that can potentially cause blindness. Its varied presentations lead to delayed or incorrect treatment. We present here the cases of two patients with nodular posterior scleritis mimicking a choroidal metastasis. Two female patients presented with a sudden unilateral visual loss associated with ocular pain. Fundus examination revealed temporomacular choroidal masses with exudative detachments that, due to angiographic presentation, were suggestive of choroidal metastasis. Systemic examinations were unremarkable. In the two cases, a local or general anti-inflammatory treatment led to the complete recovery of the lesions, which were, thus, considered nodular posterior scleritis. The diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis has to be evoked in all patients presenting with a choroidal mass in fundus examination. It represents the principal curable differential diagnosis of malignant choroidal tumor.

Keywords: blindness; choroidal mass; choroidal tumor; ocular pain; posterior scleritis; visual loss

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Publication Types

• Case Reports