Serpiginous choroidopathy: an unusual association with Crohn's disease

Authors: Ugarte, Marta; Wearne, I Michael J

Source: Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Volume 30, Number 6, December 2002 , pp. 437-439(3)

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Abstract:

Serpiginous choroidopathy, an inflammatory chorioretinopathy characterized by areas of choroidal atrophy and scarring, has previously been described in association with various systemic granulomatous disorders, but has not been linked to Crohn's disease. There are reports of ocular posterior segment abnormalities in patients with this chronic, granulomatous, inflammatory bowel disease, but these have not included serpiginous choroidopathy. This is the first report suggesting a link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease. A 22-year-old woman presented with serpiginous choroidopathy in whom Crohn's disease was diagnosed soon after. After starting treatment with oral prednisolone, no further visual loss or progression of the chorioretinal lesions occurred. The T-cell mediated nature of both inflammatory disorders and the temporal association in their onset suggests a possible link between serpiginous choroidopathy and Crohn's disease.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; posterior segment inflammation; serpiginous choroidopathy; T-cell

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9071.2002.00580.x

Publication date: 2002-12-01