Abstract
BackgroundScleritis may be the initial or only presenting feature of systemic, autoimmune, or infectious disorders. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for immune-mediated scleritis. However, steroids could prove detrimental when used to treat infectious scleritis. Hence, infectious causes of scleritis should be ruled out.FindingsA 47-year-old male from central India presented with swelling, pain, and redness in the left eye since 2 months. The patient was diagnosed elsewhere as having an extraocular extension of intraocular tumor and advised radiation brachytherapy for the same. Clinical examination revealed nodular scleritis in the left eye. The patient did not have any systemic illness or complaints suggestive of connective tissue disease. Laboratory investigations ruled out the same. However, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test was positive. Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA) were also positive, confirming the diagnosis of syphilis. Ultrabiomicroscopy (UBM) and ultrasound scan of the eye ruled out intraocular tumor. Treatment was initiated with benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units per week for 3 weeks to which the patient responded remarkably well.ConclusionsAlthough rare, syphilis can present as nodular scleritis masquerading as ocular tumor. Syphilis must be considered in the list of etiological diagnoses in patients presenting with nodular scleritis, and testing for this disease should be a part of routine investigation in patients with scleritis.
Highlights
Scleritis may be the initial or only presenting feature of systemic, autoimmune, or infectious disorders
Conclusions: rare, syphilis can present as nodular scleritis masquerading as ocular tumor
Syphilis must be considered in the list of etiological diagnoses in patients presenting with nodular scleritis, and testing for this disease should be a part of routine investigation in patients with scleritis
Summary
Scleritis may be the initial or only presenting feature of systemic, autoimmune, or infectious disorders. Conclusions: rare, syphilis can present as nodular scleritis masquerading as ocular tumor. Scleritis may be the initial or only presenting clinical manifestation of many of systemic autoimmune or infectious disorders. * Correspondence: drjb@snmail.org 2Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Department, Vision Research Foundation, 18, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India Full list of author information is available at the end of the article scleritis presents as an ulcerated or nonulcerated, inflamed scleral nodule, which may be associated with microabscess and areas of scleral necrosis [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
