The progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome

Holland, Gary N.
Springer
Published 1994
ISSN:
1573-2630
Keywords:
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ; AIDS ; progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome ; retinitis ; varicella-zoster virus
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN) syndrome is a recently described clinical variant of necrotizing herpetic retinopathy in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is caused by varicellazoster virus infection of the retina. Its course and clinical features distinguish it from the acute retinal necrosis syndrome and CMV retinopathy. Early disease is characterized by multifocal deep retinal opacification. Lesions rapidly coalesce and progress to total retinal necrosis over a short period of time. Despite aggressive therapy with intravenous antivirial drugs, prognosis is poor; disease progression and/or recurrence is common, and the majority of patients develop no light perception vision. Total retinal detachments are common. Prophylaxis against retinal detachment using laser retinopexy has not been useful in most cases. PORN syndrome is an uncommon, but devastating complication of AIDS.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL: