Purtscher Retinopathy Following Compressive Chest Trauma: A Case Report

Taimoor A Khan; Mohammad A Mehboob; Talha Liaqat; Muhammad A Zahid; Saad H Bhatti

doi:10.7759/cureus.41100

Purtscher Retinopathy Following Compressive Chest Trauma: A Case Report

Cureus. 2023 Jun 28;15(6):e41100. doi: 10.7759/cureus.41100. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Taimoor A Khan^{1

2}, Mohammad A Mehboob^{1

3}, Talha Liaqat⁴, Muhammad A Zahid⁵, Saad H Bhatti^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Ophthalmology, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, PAK.
² Ophthalmology, Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, PAK.
³ Ophthalmology/Vitreoretinal Ophthalmology, Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, PAK.
⁴ Medicine, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, PAK.
⁵ Ophthalmology, Monash Health, Clayton, AUS.
⁶ Ophthalmology/Corneal and Refractive Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, PAK.

Abstract

Purtscher retinopathy (PR) is an occlusive vasculopathy of the retinal microvasculature that classically presents 24-48 hours after compressive chest trauma. Symptoms vary from mild to severe acute visual loss. Characteristic findings on fundus examination such as Purtscher flecken, cotton wool spots, and retinal hemorrhages may also be found. Here, we discuss a case of Purtscher retinopathy due to compressive chest trauma.

Keywords: cotton wool spots; hemorrhages; purtscher flecken; purtscher retinopathy; retina.

Publication types

Case Reports