Posterior scleritis. A cause of diagnostic confusion

Arch Ophthalmol. 1979 Aug;97(8):1482-6. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1979.01020020144012.

Abstract

The referring diagnoses in seven women with posterior scleritis included intraocular neoplasm, retrobulbar tumor, choroiditis, and idiopathic central serous choroidopathy. In all cases, a localized area of intense posterior scleritis was responsible for the misdiagnosed ocular findings. Features that helped to correctly identify posterior scleritis were as follows: female sex; a history of anterior scleritis; a fundus mass the same color as normal adjacent pigment epithelium; choroidal folds; serous retinal detachment with cloudy fluid; early pinpoint leaking spots from fluorescein angiography; and thickening of the posterior coats of the eye, retrobulbar edema, and high internal reflectivity on ultrasonography. Corticosteroids given for retrobulbar or systemic effect provided effective treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Eye Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Sclera*