Acute annular outer retinopathy preceded by invasive ductal breast carcinoma: a case report

BMC Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov 24;22(1):452. doi: 10.1186/s12886-022-02647-w.

Abstract

Background: Acute annular outer retinopathy (AAOR) is an uncommon disease. To date, there are few documented cases in the literature. Our case report is the first to describe a case of acute annular outer retinopathy in a patient with invasive ductal breast carcinoma.

Case presentation: The patient presented with photopsias and visual loss approximately 3 weeks prior to a diagnosis of invasive ductal breast carcinoma. We have documented the outer annular white ring seen in the acute phase of this disease and correlate it anatomically with Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. We identified RPE atrophy with nodular hyperreflectivity and loss of ellipsoid layer within the white annular ring with corresponding visual field loss. Fundus autofluorescence correlated with structural alterations seen on SD-OCT and showed both presumed active hyperautofluorescent zones with patchy hypoautofluorescent zones of atrophy and a classic annular hyperautofluorescent border. This case provides additional information about the natural history of this rare entity and its prognosis and varied presentation.

Conclusions: The authors report a single case of acute annular outer retinopathy in a patient with invasive ductal breast carcinoma with the corresponding SD-OCT, fundus autofluorescence and visual field findings, during the acute phase of the disease. These findings provide new insight into the characteristic features, etiology and progression of this rare disease.

Keywords: Acute annular outer retinopathy; Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy; Case report; Invasive ductal carcinoma; Retinal disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Atrophy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods
  • Humans
  • Retinal Diseases* / complications
  • Retinal Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Vision Disorders