A case of acute loss of vision as the presenting symptom of Crohn's disease

Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Dec;4(12):695-8. doi: 10.1038/ncpgasthep0982.

Abstract

Background: An adolescent boy aged 17 years presented with sudden onset of visual impairment, which was rapidly diagnosed as bilateral anterior uveitis by an ophthalmologist. A systemic review noted episodes of nonbloody diarrhea, weight loss of 3 kg and a diminished appetite during the previous 10 months. The patient's family history revealed an older brother with Crohn's disease.

Investigations: Visual acuity test, slit-lamp examination, ophthalmologic fundoscopy and endoscopic evaluation of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract with biopsy.

Diagnosis: Multifocal Crohn's disease, involving the terminal ileum and cecum, in addition to the stomach and duodenum.

Management: Treatment with topical corticosteroids, in the form of ophthalmic drops and oral budesonide ileal-release capsules. Once remission was achieved, it was maintained with mercaptopurine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Blindness / drug therapy
  • Blindness / etiology*
  • Blindness / physiopathology
  • Colonoscopy
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Thioguanine / administration & dosage
  • Thioguanine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Thioguanine