Postsurgical bacterial endophthalmitis presenting as frosted branch angiitis: a case report

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral postsurgical bacterial endophthalmitis, which presented in an unusual manner with frosted branch angiitis.

Methods: We reviewed the chart of a patient with acute postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis who presented initially as frosted branch angiitis and subsequently developed full-fledged endophthalmitis.

Results: The patient was treated with conventional treatment for postsurgical endophthalmitis along with oral steroids. He recovered full vision with complete resolution of the frosted branch appearance as well as the endophthalmitis.

Discussion: Primary frosted branch angiitis is a rare form of vasculitis seen in otherwise healthy young children. It has also been reported secondary to autoimmune disorders, malignancies such as lymphoma, and various infective agents. Commonly associated infective agents are viruses such as cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and human immunodeficiency virus. There are isolated case reports of associated rubella and toxoplasma infections. One case has been reported in association with endogenous Fusarium endophthalmitis. No case has been reported in association with bacterial endophthalmitis.