Is granuloma annulare related to intermediate uveitis with retinal vasculitis?

Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Jun;87(6):763-6. doi: 10.1136/bjo.87.6.763.

Abstract

Aim: To report on eight patients with severe idiopathic intermediate uveitis (IU) and granuloma annulare (GA), a self limiting cutaneous condition of unknown aetiology.

Methods: Retrospective case series. Clinical ophthalmic and dermatological data were studied and fluorescein angiography and skin biopsies were reviewed.

Results: All patients with idiopathic IU had similar ocular features (eight with vitritis, seven with retinal vasculitis) and developed complications such as cystoid macular oedema (n=5), cataract (n=4), and glaucoma (n=3). Systemic diseases were not found, but a localised type of GA was observed in all.

Conclusion: Seven out of eight patients with IU and GA developed severe retinal vasculitis. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of this association, a common pathogenesis, and its eventual clinical consequences.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Female
  • Granuloma Annulare / complications*
  • Granuloma Annulare / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Vasculitis / complications*
  • Retinal Vasculitis / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uveitis, Intermediate / complications*
  • Uveitis, Intermediate / pathology