Background: Anterior chamber cholesterolosis is a rare phenomenon which occurs mostly in chronically blind eyes. We present the anterior and posterior ultrasound findings in a case of anterior chamber cholesterolosis secondary to Eales' disease and ocular trauma, which may contribute to the understanding of the potential mechanism of this phenomenon.
Case presentation: A 48-year-old man presented with "sparking" right eye, which appeared soon after the ocular trauma. Both eyes were confirmed Eales' disease in our center 8 years ago, and right eye remained no light perception since then. Intraocular pressure of right eye measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry was 1 mmHg. Slitlamp photograph revealed multiple polychromatic large crystals in anterior chamber. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed that anterior chamber was filled with extensive large granular substances. Dense dotted hyperechoic foci and retinal detachment was found in B-scan ultrasound examination. The right eye was diagnosed as anterior chamber cholesterolosis secondary to Eales' disease and ocular trauma. The patient was asymptomatic, and therefore was advised to have regular follow-up.
Conclusion: The findings of above imaging examinations, as well as complaint of "sparkling" eye appeared soon after ocular trauma elucidate that anterior chamber cholesterol crystals were from vitreous cavity. Any factors facilitating the communication of anterior chamber and vitreous body may lead to the occurrence of this rare phenomenon in predisposing eyes. The anterior and posterior ultrasound findings may give a clue on the potential mechanism.
Keywords: Cholesterol crystal; Cholesterolosis; Eales’ disease; Ocular trauma; Ultrasound.