[Pseudoangiitis in bilateral ocular ischemia].

BACKGROUND

The term 'frosted branch angiitis' was initially used to describe an idiopathic form of vasculitis in association with panuveitis. It has since also been used to describe the angiographic phenomenon of diffuse leakage along retinal vessels against the background of other ocular and systemic diseases.

METHODS

We describe a 57-year-old male patient with acute bilateral reduction of visual acuity, headaches and absence of any pulse at the temporal arteries. Fluorescence angiography showed bilateral diffuse leakage along all the retinal vessels, which resembled frosted branches. Laboratory parameters and histology were not indicative of vasculitis. Imaging showed complete occlusion of both common carotid arteries and a hypoplastic vertebral artery on the left.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular ischemia may imitate primarily inflammatory conditions in its angiographic appearance.