Miliary Retinal Lesions in Ocular Syphilis: Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe full thickness miliary retinal lesions in ocular syphilis.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with serologically confirmed ocular syphilis. Retinal miliary lesions in three cases of Syphilitic uveitis, in immunocompetent individuals are described. Case 1 and case 2 were positive for both VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) and TPHA (Treponema pallidum hemagglutination), case 3 was VDRL negative but TPHA positive.

Results: Miliary lesions were small round to oval, yellow retinal lesions, measuring less than ¼ disc diameter size, with distinct margins, involving complete thickness of retina on OCT, in a pillar like manner, associated with ground glass retinitis, outer retinal placoid lesion or with retinal vasculitis. In cases 1 and 3, these healed with pigmentation.

Conclusion: In contrast to similar lesions described, retinal miliary lesions seem to involve full thickness of the retina on OCT and may heal with pigmentation. These lesions may be characteristic of ocular syphilis.

Keywords:

• Leutic chorioretinitis
• miliary
• ocular syphilis
• placoid
• superficial retinal precipitates

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.