Unilateral solitary choroidal tuberculoma as the presenting sign in disseminated tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2024 Jan;34(1):NP41-NP43. doi: 10.1177/11206721231183019. Epub 2023 Jun 21.

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis can involve any organ in the body including ocular tissue of which the uveal tissue is most commonly infected. Choroidal involvement ranges from choroidal tubercles to granulomas. This is one of the few cases of a solitary choroidal granuloma with no other systemic symptoms in an immunocompetent child.

Method: A case report.

Results: A 12-year-old female, presented with diminution of vision in the left eye for a month. The anterior segment of her left eye was normal. A fundus examination revealed an isolated orangish-yellow choroidal mass, 4 DD in size, involving the posterior pole with overlying subretinal exudation. CT scan of the thorax showed large pulmonary, cervical and pancreatic lymph nodes, along with lytic lesions of the thoracic vertebrae. Excision biopsy of the cervical lymph nodes showed caseating granulomas with no e/o malignancies on histopathology. The patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy. Six months after the treatment, the lesion had reduced in size and her vision had improved.

Conclusion: Isolated choroidal tuberculomas can be present in eyes with little associated ocular inflammation and no other symptoms of systemic tuberculosis. High suspicion, early diagnosis and rapid initiation of medication are important for the treatment of ocular and systemic tuberculosis.

Keywords: Posterior uveitis < UVEITIS; choroidal/Retinal inflammation < UVEA; infections / inflammations < PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY; infections disease/Aids < NEURO OPHTHALMOLOGY; uveitis (paediatric) < PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Choroid
  • Choroid Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Choroid Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Choroid Diseases* / etiology
  • Female
  • Granuloma / diagnosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Granuloma / etiology
  • Humans
  • Tuberculoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tuberculoma* / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Ocular* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis, Ocular* / drug therapy