Tuberculosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Tuberculosis, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, pulmonary, mycobacterium.

Endoretinal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis of uveitis: a clinicopathologic report of three cases.

Cassoux N, Charlotte F, Rao NA, Bodaghi B, Merle-Beral H, Lehoang P

Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital Paris France. cassoux@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr

PURPOSE: To report the value of endoretinal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis of severe posterior uveitis. METHODS: A clinicopathologic report of three patients with severe posterior uveitis unresponsive to corticosteroids and with a negative systemic workup. These patients subsequently underwent vitrectomy and endoretinal biopsy. RESULTS: Endoretinal biopsy provided an accurate diagnosis in the three cases, leading to appropriate treatment. Histopathologic examination of the three retinal samples confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lymphoma. Targeted treatment improved the ocular conditions in all three cases. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases of severe bilateral vision-threatening uveitis, retinal biopsy may be indicated as a last resort to confirm a suspected diagnosis of infectious disease or malignancy.

Published 4 April 2005 in Ocul Immunol Inflamm, 13(1): 79-83.
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