Peripheral keratitis associated with erythema elevatum diutinum

Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis Presenting as Bilateral Ulcerative Keratitis: A Case Report

Introduction

Small artery disease caused by neutrophils and immune-mediated is known as leucocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV). Clinically, it manifests as palpable, asymptomatic purpuric papules on the limbs. Ocular manifestation is rare. Here, we describe a case of peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) associated with LCV.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old man was referred to the hospital with blurred vision due to corneal perforation in his left eye. He complained of itchy nodules on his hands and lower legs for 15 years and the skin biopsy of the back of his hand revealed LCV 6 years ago, which suggested erythema elevatum diutinum. The patient was under treatment with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs and physical features of LCV seen in him included erythema on his hands and legs. After receiving conjunctival flap covering surgery, the corneal perforation was resolved. Conjunctival flaps covered cornea that limited his vision to hand motion. Six months later, he was referred to our clinic again because of pain, redness, photophobia, and tearing in the right eye, presenting with PUK. Necrotic tissue was removed during surgery, which also included a conjunctival flap covering procedure. Following surgery, the symptoms were reduced, and the postoperative eye condition remained stable.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, it is the first case of PUK secondary to LCV which was diagnosed 6 years ago. This case demonstrates that PUK associated with LCV can be successfully treated by surgical interventions.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis due to systemic diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss peripheral ulcerative keratitis, with a focus on the evaluation and management of associated systemic diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is a sight-threatening condition that is often defined by the presence of a crescent-shaped area of peripheral corneal thinning, an epithelial defect, and an inflammatory corneal infiltrate. It is highly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic necrotizing vasculitides like granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and collagen vascular diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. Undertreated PUK carries a risk of vision loss and premature death.

SUMMARY

Multidisciplinary collaboration between the ophthalmologist, rheumatologist, and other consultants is required. Early and aggressive steroid-sparing therapy should be considered in cases due to noninfectious systemic disease.

Peripheral ulcerative keratitis: A review of aetiology and management

Background: Peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) is a severe inflammatory disease of the peripheral cornea that can be caused by local factors or systemic inflammatory disease.Aim: The purpose of this review is to give an overview of the pathophysiology, aetiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of PUK.Method: A PubMed search was conducted using the keywords, ‘peripheral ulcerative keratitis’ and ‘Mooren’s ulcer’.Results: The peripheral cornea has unique characteristics the predispose to the development of PUK. These include fine capillary arcades that allow for deposition of immune complexes and subsequent activation of an inflammatory cascade with corneal melt. Several conditions have been implicated in the aetiology of PUK. The most commonly cited causes are rheumatoid arthritis (RA), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and various dermatoses. In patients with RA, PUK usually presents in established disease, whereas in GPA, PUK may be the presenting feature in up to 60% of cases. In RA it heralds the onset of a systemic vasculitis with significant associated morbidity and mortality. The management of PUK follows an individualised stepwise approach. All patients require supportive measures to encourage healing and halt the process of keratolysis. Systemic autoimmune conditions need a systemic corticosteroid as a fast-acting agent to halt the inflammatory process while cytotoxic therapy maintains long term disease control. Failure to achieve disease control with CTT, necessitates the use of a biologic agent.Conclusion: Peripheral ulcerative keratitis is a severe inflammatory disease of the peripheral cornea that needs a thorough diagnostic workup and stepwise management approach.

Erythema elevatum et diutinum as a systemic disease

Erythema elevatum et diutinum (EED) is a rare, chronic dermatosis. It has been associated with extracutaneous findings, including arthralgias, scleritis, panuveitis, peripheral ulcerative keratitis, oral and penile ulcers, and neuropathy. Additionally, EED is connected with various systemic diseases, including HIV, IgA paraproteinemia, myelomas, neutrophilic dermatoses, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The presence of such extracutaneous manifestations in EED patients suggests that EED may be a multiorgan entity. Extracutaneous manifestations in EED may involve deposition of circulating immune complexes; thus, patients with EED should be evaluated for systemic manifestations to ensure targeted management.

Erythema elevatum diutinum: a case report and review of literature

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis thought to be related to increased levels of circulating antibodies. It has been shown to be associated with HIV infection, tuberculosis, as well as various autoimmune diseases. A retrospective review of all cases of EED indexed in PubMed between 1990 and 2014 was performed. Inclusion criteria for articles was availability of full text in English and a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of EED. All other articles were excluded. Cases were stratified by age and anatomic location of the lesions. Treatment response was coded as "complete," "partial," and "none." A total of 133 cases of EED with 381 lesions detailed in case reports and case series were included. Twenty-one cases were associated with HIV. Of 47 patients with reported paraproteinemias, IgA paraproteinemia was found in 57.45%, IgG paraproteinemia in 29.8%, IgM paraproteinemia in 10.6%, and IgD paraproteinemia in 2.1% of cases. Of 40 (30.1%) patients with reported comorbid autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis was associated with 10 cases. Cancer was found to be associated with 9.77% of cases. Seventy-five patients were treated with dapsone, with 36 (48%) achieving complete treatment response, 24 (32%) achieving partial response, and seven (9.3%) achieving no response. Keeping the clinical associations of EED in mind, especially malignancy, is critical in management of the disease. More structured studies need to take place in order to fully define the mechanisms and strength of these associations.

[Neutrophilic dermatoses]

Neutrophilic dermatoses are inflammatory disorders where normal neutrophils infiltrate the skin without infection. Sweet's syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, subcorneal pustulosis, erythema elevatum diutinum and a few other conditions are included in the spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses. In addition to their typical presentation, atypical and overlap forms of these disorders may be observed. According to the location of the neutrophilic infiltrate, three clinical forms are distinguished: superficial (epidermal), en plaques (dermal) and deep (dermal and hypodermal). During the disease course, other tissues can be affected by the same neutrophilic infiltrate. An association with other systemic diseases including malignant blood disorders, inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders is frequent. The mechanisms leading to the invasion of the skin by neutrophils remains not completely elucidated. Treatment depends on the intensity and the acute or chronic form of the disease. In acute and severe forms, systemic corticosteroids are first-line therapy, whereas colchicine, dapsone, and even topical corticosteroids could be used in milder presentations of the disease.

Bilateral episcleritis as a manifestation of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis

PURPOSE

The authors describe how bilateral episcleritis can be a sign of active systemic disease and can respond to treatment in a patient with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

DESIGN

Case report.

METHODS

Comprehensive ophthalmic and physical examination and color photography were used to monitor inflammation and its response to systemic immunosuppression.

RESULTS

Systemic cyclophosphamide caused regression of systemic symptoms, cutaneous lesions, and episcleritis. After an 8-month follow-up, the patient has not had a systemic or ocular recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Episcleritis may be a manifestation of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Careful examination of ocular inflammation is important in monitoring systemic disease and treatment.

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis presenting as bilateral marginal keratitis

Leucocytoclastic vasculitis is an immune-mediated, neutrophil-induced small vessel disease. Clinically, it presents with cutaneous palpable painless purpuric papules on the extremities. Ocular manifestation reported in the literature is rare and includes peripheral ulcerative keratitis, panuveitis and multifocal retinitis all preceded by cutaneous lesions. Herein a fatal case of leucocytoclastic vasculitis initially presenting with bilateral marginal keratitis without any cutaneous lesions is reported.

Scleral Melting in a Patient With Carotid Artery Obstruction

PURPOSE

To report a case of severe scleral melting in a patient with carotid artery obstruction.

METHODS

This is an observational case report. We reviewed the patient's chart and the available literature on ocular melting and ocular ischemia.

RESULTS

A 71-year-old man with a history of carotid vascular disease and a blind left eye due to a previous vascular accident developed scleral melting of the right eye. Despite frequent lubricants, systemic immunosuppressives, and repeated conjunctiva transplants, the thinning progressed and his visual acuity deteriorated. Intensive screening for possible underlying diseases revealed no infectious or collagen vascular disease. Magnetic resonance angiography, however, showed a subtotal obstruction of the right internal carotid artery. Further investigations revealed coronary artery obstruction. Carotid surgery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting was performed, and a stable ocular situation was achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a causal factor cannot always be determined, corneoscleral melting should be regarded as a manifestation of underlying systemic or ocular disorders. In the absence of more common causes of corneoscleral melting, a thorough workup is warranted and might reveal life-threatening disorders.

Nodular scleritis and panuveitis with erythema elevatum diutinum

PURPOSE

To report a case of nodular scleritis and panuveitis associated with erythema elevatum diutinum, a rare immunocomplex-mediated skin disease.

DESIGN

Observational case report.

METHODS

A 22-year-old woman who was diagnosed with erythema elevatum diutinum developed nodular scleritis and panuveitis of the right eye. She had experienced peripheral ulcerative keratitis with corneal perforation.

RESULTS

All other known causes of nodular scleritis and panuveitis were investigated and ruled out.

CONCLUSIONS

Erythema elevatum diutinum should be considered as an underlying systemic disease associated with nodular scleritis and panuveitis as well as peripheral keratitis.