Carcinoma-associated retinopathy-an electrophysiological and immunohistochemical correlation

Retina. 2009 Jan;29(1):69-72. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e3181853d06.

Abstract

Purpose: To correlate the clinical, electrophysiological, and immunohistochemical findings in patients suffering from carcinoma-associated retinopathy.

Methods: Four patients with visual loss were included in this retrospective, observational consecutive case series. Electrophysiology and immunohistochemical analysis were performed to confirm the diagnosis of carcinoma-associated retinopathy.

Results: Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked interindividual variability of antibody reactions against different retinal cell layers of individual patients. The electrophysiological changes corresponded to the respective immunohistochemical findings.

Conclusion: Carcinoma-associated retinopathy is a heterogeneous disease, caused by different antiretinal antibodies and leading to different electrophysiological abnormalities. Diagnosis should not be delayed as undetected and thus untreated malignancy can be the cause.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Electrooculography
  • Electrophysiology*
  • Electroretinography
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / immunology
  • Retina / immunology
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Diseases / immunology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Autoantibodies