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Review
. 2021 Jan 29;21(1):64.
doi: 10.1186/s12886-020-01790-6.

Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK): a paediatric case report and review of the literature

Xiao-Jiao Tang  1 , Qing Liu  1 , Lian-Hong Pi  1 , Xin-Ke Chen  1 , Lin Chen  2
Affiliations
Review

Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK): a paediatric case report and review of the literature

Xiao-Jiao Tang et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Background: Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) is reportedly a rare disease with an insidious onset, numerous remissions and exacerbations, and a long duration. The corneal lesions are elevated, whitish-grey in colour, and granular in the intraepithelium. A few reported cases of TSPK exist, and paediatric experience is limited. Due to the unknown aetiology and controversial treatment strategies for TSPK, we performed a literature review to summarize the criteria for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of TSPK to provide a basis for the treatment of TSPK in paediatric patients.

Case presentation: The clinical course of a boy with TSPK who repeatedly presented with episodes of tearing, photophobia and foreign body sensation in both eyes is described. Irritation was uncontrollable with antiviral and antibiotic medications, and it was managed by corticosteroids. No recurrence was reported at the 1-year follow-up after corticosteroid replacement and tapering.

Conclusions: The clinical features, treatment and prognosis between adult and paediatric TSPK patients have many similarities. The diagnosis of TSPK in children is more difficult, leading to missed diagnosis. TSPK needs to be carefully differentiated from other types of keratitis, especially intraepithelial secondary and other infectious ocular surface diseases.

Keywords: Case report; Children; Diagnosis; Management; Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Slit-lamp photograph showing multiple discrete epithelial lesions (OS)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Slit-lamp photograph showing a cornea stained by fluorescein (OS)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Thygeson's superficial punctate keratitis in children.
    Gagrani M, Conner EA, Scanga H, Hiasat JG, Tripi KS, Pihlblad MS, Jhanji V, Nischal KK. Gagrani M, et al. Eye (Lond). 2023 Nov;37(16):3455-3460. doi: 10.1038/s41433-023-02533-9. Epub 2023 Apr 21. Eye (Lond). 2023. PMID: 37085721 Free PMC article.

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