Retinal vasculitis associated with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Introduction: To report a case of retinal vasculitis associated with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Methods: Retrospective chart review.

Results: A 28-year-old man, who initially presented with occlusive retinal vasculitis and vitreous hemorrhage in right eye that resolved with sectoral photocoagulation. Laboratory investigations for tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, syphilis and sickle cell disease were negative. Past history included recent diagnosis of Enterobacter epididymo-orchitis and multiple red nodules on skin of forearm. Fourteen months later, he developed active retinal vasculitis in right eye and recurrent nodules on forearm. Skin biopsy revealed neutrophilic infiltrates in and around dermal vessels with destruction of vessel walls leading to scattered neutrophils, lymphocytes and histiocytes between collagen bundles, suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Both skin and ocular lesions resolved with oral corticosteroid and methotrexate therapy and did not recur over a six-year period.

Conclusion: We have reported the first case of clinically manifest retinal vasculitis, associated with a common form of cutaneous vasculitis.