Polyarteritis Presenting with Thrombocytosis and Central Retinal Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

We report a case of polyarteritis in a 54 year old woman who presented with marked thrombocytosis and acute blindness in one eye secondary to central retinal vein thrombosis. She also developed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and renal failure. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological changes in the renal biopsy. Treatment with immunosuppressives, plasma exchange and antiplatelet drugs led to rapid clinical improvement and recovery of renal function and prevented further thromboembolic episodes. Plasma exchange and antiplatelet drugs should be considered in polyarteritis group of systemic vasculitis especially in the presence of thromboembolic complications or thrombocytosis.