Unilateral Idiopathic Choroidal Effusion in a Patient Who Takes Sulfonamides

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report a challenging case of unilateral choroidal effusion.

Methods: A case report about patient who presented with unilateral choroidal effusion and who was taking sulfonamides. Patient has been under care of a multidisciplinary team of uveitis consultant, ocular oncology consultant, and systemic oncology consultant. A comprehensive workup was done (blood tests, Spectralis OCT, FFA, chest X-rays, MRI, PETCT).

Results: Baseline visual acuity on the affected (right) eye was 6/12. Patient is amblyopic and hypermetropic on that eye. Blood test results were negative on syphilis, tuberculosis, or sarcoidosis. MRI showed no mass lesions. PETCT scan showed no signs of malignant process out of the eye. Suprachoroidal drainage was done and analysis of the drainaged fluid showed no presence of malignant cells. Overall workup period patient’s vision was stable.

Conclusion: Definite diagnosis of unilateral choroidal effusion was done. A comprehensive workup is needed to exclude potential malignant process.

KEYWORDS:

• Choroidal effusion
• choroidal lymphoma
• sulfonamides
• suprachoroidal drainage
• OCT

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre based at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.