These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Atypical healing of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Significance of persistent border opacification.
    Author: Keefe KS, Freeman WR, Peterson TJ, Wiley CA, Crapotta J, Quiceno JI, Listhaus AD.
    Journal: Ophthalmology; 1992 Sep; 99(9):1377-84. PubMed ID: 1328980.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: To analyze a phenomenon seen in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis undergoing systemic antiviral treatment: a persistent white border opacification on the edge of healed CMV retinitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors prospectively evaluated a population of 137 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis during a 44-month period. Eleven patients (12 eyes) who were undergoing maintenance antiviral treatment were identified with an atypical healing response--the persistence of a white flat border opacification that did not advance for many weeks to months. Patient records and photographs were reviewed. Results of one autopsy were analyzed with histopathology and special stains. RESULTS: The persistent white edge maintained (without advancement or smoldering) for an average of 11.6 weeks (range, 4 to 41 weeks). This border opacification was not affected by reinduction treatment in the six patients to whom reinduction was given. Results from histopathologic examination of one patient with a persistent white border are presented: these results show that dead cytomegalic cells formed stable structures within the retina, causing white opacification that could be confused with active lesions. Immunoperoxidase stains identified CMV antigens. CONCLUSION: This persistent white border opacification, which does not advance or smolder, represents an important clinical entity that should be recognized during antiviral treatment for CMV retinitis. It can often be observed. If it is not recognized as a stable configuration, patients may undergo unnecessary reinductions with potentially toxic doses of antiviral medications.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]