Central nervous system tuberculosis presenting as branch retinal vein occlusion

Clin Exp Optom. 2013 Jan;96(1):121-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1444-0938.2012.00757.x. Epub 2012 Jun 27.

Abstract

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) associated with ocular tuberculosis (TB) is a rare presentation of retinal vasculitis but it can also present in the absence of active uveitis. We present a 39-year-old patient with BRVO who slowly developed bilateral papilloedema due to TB in the central nervous system. To our knowledge, this is the first case of systemic central nervous system TB confirmed by biopsy presenting as a branch retinal vein occlusion and shows the importance of extensive causative investigation of BRVO, especially for young patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Retinal Vein Occlusion / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System / complications*
  • Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System / diagnosis